MOGADISHU, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government said on Thursday that its security forces backed by international partners killed seven Al-Shabaab militants in airstrikes conducted in the southern town of Jilib on Wednesday night.
"Our security forces killed seven Al-Shabaab militants, including a senior Al-Shabaab leader responsible for multiple bombings in Mogadishu," the government said in a statement.
The airstrikes against the militants who have waged nearly daily assault on the government and Africa Union forces (AMISOM) bases were authorized by President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
The ministry said the president and his administration remain resolute in their commitment to eradicating Al-Shabaab's ability to conduct senseless acts of violence and crimes against the people of Somalia, its East African neighbors and the international community.
Although the insurgents have largely been expelled from Somali cities, they have continued suicide attacks, killing five people and ambushing AMISOM's convoy in southern Somalia both on Sunday.
