File photo shows that people are seen at the scene of a massive car bomb explosion in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Jan. 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Hassan Bashi)
Somali Special Forces backed by Jubaland army killed 12 al-Shabab militants in an operation in Lower Juba region, a military official confirmed.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Somali Special Forces (Danab Brigade) backed by Jubaland army on Sunday killed 12 al-Shabab militants in an operation in Lower Juba region, a military official confirmed.
Hassan Mohamed Aden, commander of Somali Special Forces in Jubaland state told journalists that a joint offensive was conducted following a tip-off from the residents that the militants were gathering at the area to attack an army base in Bangeni.
"There was stiff confrontation, but our army finally drove the militants out of the town, and we inflicted severe casualties on them, killing 12 of them," Aden said, adding that the forces also destroyed militants' bases in the area.
File photo shows that police officers inspect a Safaricom mast that was damaged during a militia attack in Seretho, Garissa County, Kenya, Jan. 7, 2020. Four children were killed after al-Shabab attacked a Kenyan village near the Somali border. (Xinhua/Stephen Ingati)
Residents confirmed to Xinhua a fight erupted in the town. "Heavily armed government army attacked al-Shabab militants in the outskirt of Bangeni and both sides exchanged gunfire which lasted for a while. The forces are now in the town and the militants withdrew," Safia Hassan, a resident said.
The latest offensive came days after Somali forces killed 16 al-Shabab militants and injured 20 others in clashes in the country's Middle Shabelle region.
Southern and central regions of Somalia have become the battleground of clashes between government forces and al-Shabab militants after the militants were evicted from the capital Mogadishu in August 2011 by the Somali army and African Union forces. ■
