MOGADISHU, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Somali military said Friday that eight Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a joint security operation in southern Somalia.
Somalia National Army (SNA) General Sheegow, who is the 20th Brigade Commander, said the militants were killed by SNA and foreign forces in Lower Shabelle.
"The SNA carried out an operation this morning against a farm in Bariire with known Al-Shabaab presence. Al-Shabaab started shooting at SNA forces after our soldiers entered the farm," Sheegow said.
"The individuals shooting at the SNA soldiers were Al-Shabaab fighters; they were not farmers. We talked to the farmers in the area and instructed them to put their weapons in their homes to avoid confusion," the commander said.
The Somali security forces have in the past two weeks successfully disrupted multiple Al-Shabaab tax stations and removed key militant leaders in various strategic locations in the Horn of Africa nation.
In the latest operations in Bariire, Sheegow confirmed that no civilians were harmed or killed.
Although the insurgents have largely been expelled from Somali cities, they have continued suicide attacks, killing five people and ambushing Africa Union peacekeeping mission's convoy in southern Somalia both on Sunday.
