Doha: The Somali army announced the elimination of 19 militants from the Al-Shabaab movement, linked to al-Qaeda, in a security operation in the south of the country. Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported that army forces, in cooperation with international partners, carried out a military operation against Al-Shabaab elements in the Baqooqaha area of the Lower Juba Region.

According to Qatar News Agency, the operation resulted in the elimination of 19 Al-Shabaab militants. Somali forces have been fighting Al-Shabaab for more than a decade and have regained control of several areas in the central and southern parts of the country within months.