Somali National Army (SNA) forces have seized villages in central Somalia that were under the control of the Al-Shabaab militia.
According to sources in security circles, most of the villages had been in Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle.
SNA troops conducted a military operation on January 26.
The operation focused on Jameo and Hawadley, which are just outside Balad district.
Apart from those two, the military officers also liberated other villages from the grip of the Al-Shabaab group.
At least 10 militants were killed during the operation.