81 al-Shabaab militants killed in Somalia

By Tufan Aktas

MOGADISHU

At least 81 al-Shabaab militants were killed in Jilib province in two new security operations, said Information Minister Abdurahman Osman on Sunday.

He told SONNA news agency that, Somalian forces and international partners conducted the two different operations.

"Some 81 militants were killed, a number of vehicles and heavy weapons " Osman said.

Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the midnight air strike on Friday near Mogadishu's Shabel region killed a wide range of al-Shabaab militants.

Al-Shabaab has publicly boasted of its alliance with al-Qaeda and has been warring against Somalia's internationally recognized government for control of the country since it was ousted from the capital by African Union-led forces in 2011.