Somali army kills 9 al-Shabab militants in southern region

MOGADISHU, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) on Wednesday killed nine al-Shabab terrorists during the ongoing security operation in Awdhigle district in the southern part of the country.

The SNA commanders said the troops which have intensified the onslaught against the extremist group destroyed the militants' key hideout at Shamgare and Raqeyle villages in the Lower Shabelle region.

According to SNA Radio, the SNA troops later took over Kabis jungle, al-Shabab's biggest hideout in the Gedo region during the security operation in the region.

The Al-Shabab terror group which is fighting to overthrow the Somali government has been using the Kibis jungle as its launching base to carry out terror attacks in the southern region.

The SNA commanders said the troops that launched the security operation in the region last week are gaining significant ground to root out terrorists continue.

The government forces have intensified operations against al-Shabab fighters in southern and central regions in the recent past, but the militants are still in control of the rural areas of those regions, conducting ambushes and planting landmines.