MOGADISHU (SD) – Galmudug Darawish forces backed by the Somali national army (SNA) have killed six al-Shabaab operatives including high ranked al-Shabaab commanders in security operations in central Somalia.

SNA said he forces foiled al-Shabaab attack on Guriel town after SNA received a military intelligence report indicating the group was planning to attack the town of Guriel in Galgadud region.

The security operations took place in Showro village which lies south of Guriel town.

“Galmudug state forces backed by Somali army have engaged al-Shabaab militants who were planning to attack Guriel town, Daud Ibrahim Shambil. The allied forces killed the head of Guriel town for al-Shabaab militant group,” Dayah Abdi Abdulle, SNA commander who was leading the operations told the media.

Meanwhile, in a statement posted on the group’s affiliate websites, Al-Shabaab militants claimed to have killed several government soldiers in the attack, saying their fighters repelled ambush carried out by Somali soldiers in Galgaduud region.

Somali national army has recently intensified operations against al-Shabaab fighters in central and southern Somalia.

With the support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), Somali forces have managed to lodged al-Shabaab fighters from many towns including the capital following decade-old military operations.

But Al-Shabaab is still capable of carrying out deadly suicide explosions against the government installations and convoys of government officials.