Mogadishu: The Somali army has taken control of the Jabd Gudni area in the Middle Shabelle region in the south-east of the country, killing a number of Al Shabab fighters, military officials have said.
According to Qatar News Agency, the area was captured during a planned military operation as government forces continue their pursuit of Al Shabab members.
In a statement, the army said several members of the group had been killed, but did not provide further details on casualty figures.
The announcement comes days after the military said it had killed a senior Al Shabab commander during a separate operation in southern Somalia.
Somali government forces have been battling Al Shabab, which is affiliated with Al Qaeda, for more than a decade. The group has carried out numerous attacks across the country, killing hundreds of civilians and members of the security forces.
In recent months, the Somali army, backed by local militias and international partners, has reclaimed a number of areas from the group as part of an ongoing campaign to weaken its presence.