The Somali National Army reported on Monday that during an operation carried out on Sunday in the Bulaburte area of central Somalia, its troops killed more than 200 al-Shabab fighters.
The militants intended to barricade the road between Beledweyne and Bulaburde area and launch an attack, according to the state-run media, but the troops were alerted in time and prevented the attempt.
“Their intention was to block the road between Bula-burde and Beledweyne towns, but they made a miscalculation and ended up in fire,” the Somali news agency reported.
In the past three weeks, operations in central Somalia by Somali troops supported by pro-government militia have freed more than 40 communities and resulted in the deaths of more than 500 al-Shabab fighters.
Although the militant group has recently lost ground against African Union and Somali government forces, it still holds some areas in southern and central Somalia.
