MOGADISHU (SD) – An airstrike against al-Shabaab in central Somalia has killed more than 90 militants barely hours after the militants stormed SNA military base in Mudug region.

In a statement, Somali military said the airstrike whose responsibility has not been claimed, inflicted huge losses on the militants.

“Al-Shabaab militants attempted to attack Amara village and suffered huge losses. This afternoon an airstrike has been carried out against al-Shabaab that killed at least 90 terrorists,” it said on Twitter.

The development comes hours after al-Shabaab militants seized Amara town following fierce fighting with Somali military.

Al-Shabaab began their attack with a suicide vehicle-borne explosion detonated near an army base.   

Al-Shabaab said its fighters attacked the village starting with a suicide car bomb blast followed by a firefight. It claimed to have seized 14 vehicles, including 12 belonging to the military, during the fighting.

Later in the day, Somali military backed by Galmudug regional forces retook the town.

This is the second time SNA forces take control of Amaar town in less than a month.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting Somali government since 2007 is controlling large swath areas in central and southern Somalia.