By Hassan Istiila

MOGADISHU, Somalia

An al-Shabaab leader was killed in the Lower Shabelle region in an operation conducted by the Somali National Army, said the country's information minister.

Information Minister Abdirahman Yarisow said in a statement Sunday that Moalin Osman Abdi Badil and three of his associates were killed on Friday during an operation against al-Shabaab militants about 64 kilometers (40 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu.

"The death significantly disrupts the terrorist group's ability to operate in Lower Shabelle, which is a major step towards peace in the region. This operation marks a turning point in our fight for security from attacks by al-Shabaab," he said.

The al-Shabaab leader was killed in the village of Bariire in Lower Shabelle, where a senior U.S. senior chief special warfare operator, Kyle Milliken, was killed Thursday.

The Somali government however did not indicate if the attack involved U.S. forces.

The militant group has yet to make a comment.