MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali National Army (SNA) has today claimed that more than 60 al-Shabaab militants had been killed in an explosion which took place in Lower Shabelle region.

In a brief statement, the military said the explosion took place at Ala-Futow village about 65 kilometers west of Qoryooley town.

According to the statement, the militants were trying to assemble explosives when the explosion happened.

“The explosion took place at the Al-Shabab compound after explosive materials which were being prepared by terrorists exploded on Monday,” SNA said. Al-Shabab’s bomb experts and foreign terrorists were among those killed.

The development comes hours after Somali military claimed to have killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants in three-week operations that took place in Middle Shabelle region.

The army said the security operations being led by SNA chief Odowaa Yusuf Rage will be intensified in all al-Shabab’s hideouts in the region.

“More than 130 Shabab were killed in the current operations,” SNA said in a brief statement, noting that the operation will continue until all Shabab fighters are flushed out from their bases.

SNA has upped ground operations against Al-Shabaab in recent weeks as the country prepares for elections to be held in August.