Mogadishu: The Somali army announced Wednesday the killing of 22 militants of the Al Shabaab movement, linked to Al Qaeda, in military operations carried out in cooperation with international partners over the past 72 hours in the Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) quoted the Ministry of Defense as saying that the military operation included ground clashes and airstrikes in the Bulo Abdalla area.

The Somali Ministry of Defense added its commitment to continuing and intensifying such operations with the aim of eliminating Al Shabaab militants and strengthening security and stability throughout the country.