Doha: Somali authorities announced Wednesday the killing of a number of Al-Shabaab militants, linked to Al Qaeda, and the destruction of their hideouts in a security operation carried out by the national army in cooperation with local forces in the Ailak Nur Gadu area of the Middle Shabelle region in the southeast of the country.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Somali News Agency (SONNA) reported that the militants had arrived in the area to collect water from a well before being suddenly attacked by the joint forces.

Somali government forces have been fighting armed movements for more than 10 years, which have carried out numerous attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel.

Their repeated attacks also target government facilities and hotels in the capital, Mogadishu.