A statement from the Somali Ministry of Information released late on Sunday reported that more than 20 militants were killed in an airstrike conducted by international forces acting on behalf of Somalia.
Quoting the statement, Bloomberg news agency reported that three prominent members of a group linked to al-Qaeda were killed in the airstrike, which took place in the Cal Madow mountain range in the Puntland region, known for its semi-autonomous governance.
The statement added that the airstrike was carried out in coordination with international partner forces, without providing further details.
It is noteworthy that the United States Africa Command has previously conducted similar attacks on groups affiliated with al-Qaeda.
On Sunday, the Somali federal government announced the killing of over 20 militants from the Al-Shabaab movement, including three of its leaders, in a joint operation executed in the Puntland state, located in northeastern Somalia.
The regional semi-autonomous government of Puntland has yet to comment on the operation, and the federal government did not indicate Puntland’s involvement in the operation.
The Somali News Agency (SONNA) reported that the operation targeted a camp where Al-Shabaab militants were gathering in the Cal Madow mountains, thwarting a terrorist plot targeting residents of Puntland.
Somali television reported on Sunday that security forces, in a joint operation with international partners, killed over 20 militants from the Al-Shabaab movement in the Bari region of northeastern Somalia.
The television report stated that among the casualties were three leaders of the Al-Shabaab movement, indicating that the joint security operation targeted militants who had gathered in the Cal Madow mountains area.
According to the Somali News Agency, the military operation targeted a camp where terrorist elements were congregating in the Cal Madow mountains, in addition to foiling a terrorist plot aimed at the residents of Puntland.
The agency also noted the continued efforts of the Somali army to track down remnants of terrorist elements in the mountainous areas of the province.
