MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali forces on Saturday defused planted landmines on key roads frequently used by SNA and AMISOM forces outside Somali capital, Mogadishu.

In a statement, Somali military said the Turkish-trained forces known as Gorgor have successfully dismantled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Middle Shabelle region.

“Somali National Army’s special forces (Gorgor) have removed  four IEDs on the outskirts of Awdhigle district in Lower Sh.region,” military confirmed. “These explosive devices were planted by the terror- group of Alshabab to harm civilians.”

Meanwhile, at least 17 al-Shabaab fighters were killed and several others wounded following heavy clashes with Somalia’s elite forces in Lower Shabelle region.

According to military officials who spoke the state owned media, the operations against al-Shabaab fighters took place on Friday in Gambole village in Middle Shabelle region.

Duringtheoperations,  the forces destroyed a base belonging to al-Shabaab.

“Somali National Army’s commandos #DANAB destroyed Alshabab’s biggest base in Gambole village in Middle Shabelle region, killing 17 terrorists, on Friday afternoon,” SNTV reports. Terrorists suffered a battlefield casualties and fled from the surrounding villages, SNA officials confirmed.”