Balad (SD) – Commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 27th Division of the Somali National Army Colonel Abshir Mohamud Mohamed Shataqey confirmed a senior al-Shabaab official has been killed in a recent operation in the Middle Shabelle region.

The commander told local media that the forces killed the Al-Shabaab commander and one of his bodyguards in the operation, capturing two others.

He said the troops will continue their operations until they ensure security on the road between Balad and Jowhar, which Al-Shabaab is known to mount attacks from.

The operation comes as a Somali National Army officer was recently killed near Gololey village after his vehicle hit a improvised explosive devise.

Al Shabaab has not yet commented on the latest operation by government forces that targeted them in Middle Shabelle.