MOGADISHU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) said Friday its forces killed 28 al-Shabab militants and wounded several others in security operations conducted in the past two days within the vicinity of Balad districts in the Middle Shabelle region, 40 km northeast of Mogadishu.
The SNA 27th Division commander, Salah Yakub, who led the security operation told Radio Mogadishu that the SNA forces destroyed al-Shabab hideouts during the operations conducted in four villages in the Balad district.
"SNA killed 28 al-Shabab terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in special planned security operations at Marerey, Mukay-Dhere, Shalow and Yaqle villages under Balad district in the past 48 hours," Yakub said.
He said several regions under the al-Shabab terror group's grip were also liberated during the two-day operations.
Yakub said the security forces are ready to work with members of the public to alleviate the suffering of the locals in the Middle Shabelle region.
The SNA, which has intensified security operations across the country amid national elections, has vowed to intensify operations against the militant group until their fighters are subdued amid ongoing national elections.
The government forces have intensified operations against al-Shabab fighters in southern and central regions in the recent past, but the militants are still in control of the rural areas of those regions, conducting ambushes and planting landmines. ■
