MOGADISHU, June 9 (Xinhua) --- Somali National Army (SNA) said its forces on Wednesday arrested a senior al-Shabab leader in a joint security operation near Jowhar in southern Somalia.
The SNA said the militant, who was not identified, was arrested in collaboration with Hirshabelle Police during an ongoing security operation in War Isse and Aqab Duco villages near Jowhar.
"SNA offensive operations in Hirshabelle left 140 terrorists dead," SNA said as it circulated the photos of the al-Shabab leader who was arrested as the ongoing security operations entered its third week.
The insurgents have stepped up their assault against the government and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) bases across south and central parts of the Horn of Africa nation, conducting ambushes and planting landmines.
This prompted the government forces to launch a major offensive in the Middle Shabelle region to flush out the militants who have been staging terror attacks in the country. Enditem
