ISTANBUL

The Somali army, working with international partners, has carried out a planned operation, killing at least four al-Shabaab militants, local media reported on Sunday.

The operation on Saturday targeted the al-Shabaab positions in Nooleye village, located in the central region of Galguduud, according to the state-run Somali National News Agency (SONNA).

Since July, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international partners, has increased operations against the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group in Somalia's south and central provinces.

Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targets security forces, officials, and civilians.