MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 23 — Somali government forces, backed by international partners, carried out a targeted air strike in the Ugunji area of the Lower Shabelle region, killing six suspected Al-Shabaab fighters, the government said on Friday.
In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said the operation was carefully planned and inflicted “significant losses” on the militant group.
The ministry said weapons and equipment used by the Islamist militant group were also destroyed during the strike.
Al-Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government for more than a decade, frequently carrying out bombings and armed attacks across Somalia.
The ministry added that similar operations would continue in an effort to weaken the group and eliminate its remaining strongholds in the country.
Independent verification of the casualties and damage was not immediately possible.
