SMOGADISHU (SD) -Somali national army (SNA) said they have killed 28 Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabaab terrorists in a military operation against the terrorist group over the last forty-eight hours.

According to a security officer in the region, the task against the group took place in the villages of Marerey, Mukay-Dhere, Shalow and Yaqle, all located on the outskirts of the town of Balad, in the Middle Shabelle region.

Balad is a strategic agricultural town located 40 kilometers (24 miles) north of the country’s capital, Mogadishu.

The security officer also confirmed that there was heavy fighting on Friday between the Somali military and al-Shabaab, after the terrorists attacked the village of Mukay-Dhere that also resulted in the death of several civilians.

The commander of the 27th Division of the Somali National Army, Salah Yaqub also confirmed the raid to local media channels, saying they carried out the attack against Al-Shabaab and killed 28 terrorists and destroyed their hideouts.