MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali National Army (SNA) said Tuesday its forces killed 20 Al-Shabaab militants in Hiiraan region amid the ongoing military operations to flush out the extremists in the southern and central parts of the country.

The fighting between Somali military and Al-Shabaab fighters took place in El-Ba’ad village on the outskirts of Bulaburde town.

“The Somali National Army (SNA) last night and today carried out planned operations in the El-Ba’ad village of Hiiraan region where the militants were based, killing 20 Al-Shabaab militants and recovered weapons,” SNA chief, Odawa Yussuf Raghe.

The latest attack comes on the heel of series of security operations against al-Shabaab fighters in Middle Shabeelle and Hiiraan regions.

Somali military have recent stepped up the fight against al-Shabaab fighters.

On Monday, Odawaa said Somali forces have killed about 100 al-Shabab militants in recent operations in the Middle Shabelle region.

According to Odowaa, the operations, which were carried out in these regions to flush out al-Shabab terrorists from the areas, have seen insurgents suffer heavy losses and several commanders killed.

Al-Shabaab has not yet comment on the claims that over 100 al-shabaab fighters killed in SNA operation in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.

The group which has been fighting Somali forces backed African Union Mission In Somalia (Amisom).

Al-Shabaab lost control of Somali capital in 2011 after days long fighting with Somali military and AU troops.