The Somali Government has announced that, in the past 72 hours, a large number of Al-Shabaab members, including senior leaders, have been killed.

Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, stated in a press release that the Somali National Army, the Intelligence and Security Agency, and local forces carried out various operations in the past 72 hours, during which 120 Al-Shabaab members were killed.

“In total, during the past 72 hours, the extremist groups were dealt a heavy blow, with over 120 of their militants killed,” said Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.

The Minister also noted that an airstrike was conducted last night in Lower Juba, which resulted in the deaths of 30 Al-Shabaab members. He added that several others were captured alive by the forces.

In his statement, Fiqi mentioned that Somali intelligence forces apprehended a key Al-Shabaab operative responsible for launching mortar attacks into Mogadishu.

He further stated that fighting is currently ongoing in areas between the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, where government forces have recently recaptured territories that were under Al-Shabaab control.

Finally, the Minister issued a warning to some opposition members, urging them to stop making demoralizing statements that could negatively impact the morale of the soldiers fighting against Al-Shabaab.