MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 18 al-Shabab militants, including bomb experts, were killed in an airstrike in Sakow town in the Middle Juba region, the defense ministry said.
The strike destroyed a facility used by al-Shabab to manufacture explosive devices, leaving 18 militants dead, according to the ministry.
The ministry said the site was the largest explosives production facility operated by the group and was leveled to the ground during the aerial operation.
“We have killed 18 al-Shabab militants, including engineers involved in manufacturing explosives used in attacks against civilians and our forces,” the ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry vowed to ramp up counterterrorism operations and strengthen measures to protect public safety nationwide.
Despite air and ground operations, Al-Shabab continues to carry out deadly attacks on army bases in south and central Somalia.
Last year, the Al Qaeda-linked group seized several towns following pre-dawn attacks that began with suicide explosions, followed by gun battles.
Al-Shabab still holds large swaths of rural territory, including the Middle Jubba region, where its top leaders have been based since being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011.
