Somali National Army (SNA) forces have confirmed killing 17 Al-Shabaab fighters during a military operation carried out in the Bay region.
Several other Al-Shabaab militants were injured during the intense operation.
Mohamed Abdullahi, Commander of SNA’s 60th Unit, released a statement indicating the government troops killed 17 extremists in Daynunay village, which is just outside Baidoa.
The commander confirmed that his forces injured 23 extremists.
The SNA forces carried out the operation in conjunction with troops from African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Commander Abdullahi admitted that four SNA soldiers were killed in the operation by members of the Al-Qaeda linked group.
In the last few months, SNA, AMISOM, and US African Command (AFRICOM) have carried out numerous successful raids against the extremists in central and southern Somalia.
Nevertheless, the extremists continue to hold sway in large parts of the country from which they carry out ambushes and plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the roadside.