MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali forces have killed more than 279 al-Shabaab fighters and injured dozens of others in security operations against the militants for the last one month in central and southern Somalia.

According to the state-owned media, regional state forces backed by Somali national army (SNA) have recaptured five towns and 16 villages during the operations.

The operation took place in Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, and Mudug regions.

Somali forces also destroyed 20 hideouts and four vehicles laden with explosives.

The move ahead of Somali parliamentary and presidential elections which are scheduled to take place in the forthcoming months.

Senatorial elections have started in some of the regional states including Jubbaland, Southwest, Galmudug and Puntland.

So far 29 senators of 54 lawmakers of the Upper House among them are four from Jubbaland, eight from Southwest, six from Galmudug.

The Lower House elections are expected to kick off in September while the presidential election is slated for 10 October.