An operation in Lower Shabelle involved airstrikes and ground combat, with a senior militant commander among those killed

Somali government forces have killed more than 20 Al-Qaeda-linked militants during a coordinated military operation in the Lower Shabelle region, officials said on Wednesday.

The offensive, carried out over the past 72 hours with support from "international partners," targeted the Bulo Abdalla area between Mubarak and Ugunji.

According to officials, the operation involved both ground combat and airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of 22 Al-Shabaab fighters, including a senior militant commander identified as Abdirahman Jeeri, who was accused of terrorizing local civilians.

The Somali Defense Ministry and army command said they intend to intensify operations in an effort to eliminate what they described as remaining elements of the group.

Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in the Horn of Africa country since 2007, seeking to overthrow the fragile federal government and establish its own rule based on a hardline interpretation of Sharia law. The group controls large swaths of land in Somalia's southern and central regions, carrying out sporadic bombings and gun attacks on civilians and military infrastructure despite repeated offensives by national forces, African Union troops, and other foreign partners, including the US.

In March, Somali armed forces eliminated nine Al-Shabaab militants during an operation in the Lower Shabelle region. Earlier the same month, security forces also carried out two separate operations in which a total of 22 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed, according to military statements. The authorities also reported that government forces regained control of the Hawaadley area in the Middle Shabelle region, which had previously been held by Al-Shabaab militants.

In December, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution extending the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) until December 31, 2026.

"Adoption follows the recent extension of the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime. Taken together, these decisions demonstrate the Council's continued determination to support Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab," Archibald Young, UK ambassador to the UN General Assembly, said.

(RT.com)