Somali forces arrest 2 Al-Shabaab senior operatives

MOGADISHU, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Somalia National Army (SNA) said it had arrested two senior Al-Shabaab operatives in the southern town of Awdhegle during a sting security operation

Abdifitah Haji Abdulle, Deputy Governor of Lower Shabelle region, said the Tuesday night operation targeted two senior operatives in the militant group's intelligence division hiding in Awdhegle in the region.

"The forces captured two Al-Shabaab officials who are Abdikarim Abu Hamza and Sheikh Mudey, One of them was in charge in finance and the other one was head of Amniyat (intelligence unit)," Abdulle said.

Abdulle said there was also an airstrike that destroyed a luxury car driven by militants in the region on Monday but he did not provide more details on this.

The insurgents have not commented on the latest military onslaught by the government-backed security forces.

United States forces have been carrying out airstrikes against the militants in the Horn of African nation with backing from the Somali government.

The U.S. military said Wednesday it had killed two militants, injured three and destroyed one vehicle near Mubaarak in Lower Shabelle region in an air strike targeting Al-Shabaab early Monday.

Abdulle said the two suspects are being interrogated by the security forces before being arraigned in court. Enditem