Somali army kills more than 100 jihadists in operations

Somali National Army (SNA) managed to kill more than 100 al-Shabab militants in operations over the past three days in the central Hiiraan region with the support of US forces, the government said on Monday.

“Air support from the United States of America has assisted this operation led by SNA,” the statement shared by the state-owned Somali National TV said.

Hiiraan and the neighbouring Galgudud region have become the epicentre of weeks of clashes between government-backed clan militia and al-Shabab fighters.

The state TV on Monday also reported that the army had killed at least 54 militants in Hiiraan region.

A day before, the army said more than 75 militants were killed in joint operations with clan militia.

In its latest video message on Sunday, al-Shabab spokesperson Ali Dheere threatened to retaliate against the government’s “desperate” use of clan militia.