Somali army kills over 40 al-Shabaab terrorists in operation

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Over 40 al-Shabaab terrorists, including ringleaders, were killed in an aerial and ground operation conducted by the Somali National Army's elite Danab unit on Sunday, the country's Information Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the operation was carried out with support from international security partners and targeted a gathering place used by the terrorist group in the village of Welmaro.

Welmaro is located 40 kilometers (24 miles) from the town of Afmadow in the Lower Jubba region in the southern state of Jubaland.

The statement said the airstrikes and ground offensive took place in three different waves.

According to army commander Gen. Ali Mohamud Badmadow, six al-Shabaab prisoners were captured and taken to Afmadow.

The Defense Ministry said the Danab unit and the Jubbaland Dervishes, a local paramilitary force, conducted a separate successful operation against al-Shabaab in the town of Hagar, also in Lower Jubba.

The capital of Jubbaland, Bu'ale, is under control of the terrorist al-Shabaab.

"Our forces moved further into the Afmadow district, diligently clearing mines set by enemies to ensure the safety of our people on the roads. They delivered a powerful blow to Alshabaab in #Jubaland. We salute their courage and resilience," the Somali Defense Ministry said on Twitter after the operations.

Somalia has been plagued by years of insecurity with the main threats being from the al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and African Union mission in Somalia since 2007.