Twenty-four al-Shabaab militants have been killed in Lower Shabelle province in southern Somalia.

Army forces carried out a security operation in Kulg, Labahli and Bulo areas of Lower Shabelle, killing 24 al-Shabaab members,’ the army said in a statement carried by the Somali News Agency (SUNA).

During the operation, quantities of weapons and ammunition belonging to the armed elements were seized, the statement said, noting that the army received information that armed elements were hiding in these areas, following which the forces moved to carry out the operation.