8 Al-Shabaab fighters killed in central Somalia
Xinhua, February 5, 2016 Adjust font size:
The Somalia national army on Thursday killed eight Al-Shabaab militants and recovered lethal weapons during an operation in central Somalia.
Officials confirmed the death of the militants after a fierce exchange of gunfire with security forces in the town of Mahaday located in the middle Shabelle region.
Mohamud Koronto, an official from Somali army, told Xinhua that the operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from Mahaday town was successful.
"We carried out a successful operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants from their hideouts. Despite initial resistance, we managed to kill eight of them and recover dangerous weapons," said Koronto.
Residents of Mahaday town who spoke to Xinhua on condition of anonymity said they heard loud explosions as security officers engaged in a gun battle with Al-Shabaab militants.
Mahaday town is located 120 kilometers north of the Somali capital Mogadishu.
The town was recaptured from Al-Shabaab by government forces two years ago. Enditem