Military kills 60 al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia: Army

MOGADISHU, Somalia

The Somali national army late Friday said troops killed 60 al-Shabaab terrorists, including two senior commanders, in an operation in the southwestern province of lower Shabelle.

The operation on the outskirts of Sabib and Anoole villages was carried out earlier Friday.

Fierce fighting between the army and al-Shabaab terrorists erupted in the area after the group attacked military camps in Anoole before the army operation, according to residents who spoke to Anadolu Agency.

"We received intelligence that the terrorists were grouped up outside of Sabiid & Canoole. Our brave soldiers killed 60 terrorists along with their commanders, notably Ali Kamiil and Xanbaleey," the military said on Twitter.

The army said on Monday it killed at least 279 terrorists affiliated with the terror group in the past month.

Operations also destroyed 20 hideouts and four vehicles laden with explosives and liberated five towns and 16 villages.