MOGADISHU (SD) – Over ten al-Shabaab militants have been killed and several others wounded following covert security operations in Middle Shabelle region.

According to Somali military, the US trained forces also destroyed training bases and tax offices in Gamboole and Fiidow villages.

“We have completely taken control of some Gamboole and Fiidow areas in which the militants were trying to secure in recent days.,” a military official told SNA radio.

The development comes amid Somali military intensified operations against al-Shabaab fighters in central Somalia.

Early this week, Puntland announced that they dispatched forces to support Galmudug state forces in the fight against al-Shabaab in Mudug region.

The group often carries out gun and bomb attacks targeting both military and civilians’ targets.

Al-Shabaab militants stormed SNA base in the town of Amaara in the central Galmudug region.

The attack killed several soldiers and wounded dozens.

Amaara is one of three towns recently captured by Somali forces, with the U.S. providing occasional air support after al-Shabab reportedly posed threats to Somali forces, including the Danab unit trained by the U.S. military.  

The town is also a strategic town which lies on the way to the coastal town of Harardheere, another al Shabaab stronghold. Harardheere was once a pirate base at the height of hijackings of merchant ships in 2011.