MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali national Army (SNA) on Friday killed more than sixty al-Shabaab militants including two senior operatives following heavy clashes with the group’s fighters on Friday in Lower Shabelle region.

In a statement, Somali military said its forces foiled two attacks by the militant group on SNA bases in Sabiid and Anole tows.

“These attempts were foiled by our brave troops stationed there,” it said in a statement. “In the process, we have killed numerous terrorists and seized equipment.”

The eliminated militant commanders were identified as Ali and Xanbaleey but the military did not give further details of the operatives.

“We received intelligence that the terrorists were grouped up outside of Sabiid & Canoole. Our brave soldiers killed 60 terrorists along with their commanders, notably Ali Kamiil and Xanbaleey,” the military said.

The development comes barely three days after Somali military claimed it killed more than 25 Al-Shabaab militants following a joint military operation between the Somali National Army and Galmudug state forces

According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, the fighting claimed the lives of five Galmudug state forces.

Among those killed was commander of the Horseed Battalion of Galmudug state Mohamed Ali.

The fighting took place in Aad Village in Mudug region. Al-Shabaab however claimed it killed more than 30 soldiers.