Thirty militants have been killed in recent days in large-scale military operations in Middle Shabelle region and surrounding areas in south-eastern Somalia.

In a press statement on Tuesday, Somali Defence Ministry spokesman Abubakar Mohamed said that about 30 al-Shabaab elements were killed in an operation carried out by the armed and intelligence forces in Hawadle region of Middle Shabelle, noting that another operation by the armed forces targeted al-Shabaab elements in Mudug region of central Somalia, where the area was cleared of militants.

The Somali government is aiming to eradicate al-Shabaab on the 63rd anniversary of the independence of the northern regions in light of the “remarkable successes” the authorities say have been achieved so far as a result of the ongoing security campaign since last year.