ISTANBUL

Somali, Ugandan and African Union (AU) forces on Thursday killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants and injured several others during a joint operation in southern Somalia, the AU peacekeeping mission said.

The operation was carried out with support from international partners, combined air and ground strikes near the Bulunagaad forward operating base to target al-Shabaab positions and weaken the group’s operational capabilities in Lower Shabelle region, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement.

This came after terrorists attacked the Somali army and AUSSOM forces pursuing al-Shabaab fighters who had been driven out of towns along the coast during the Somali army-led Operation Hidden Sword.

The peacekeeping mission vowed that joint forces would continue efforts to weaken al-Shabaab’s capabilities and advance lasting peace, stability, and security across the Horn of Africa.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group in southern and central Somalia, Al-Shabaab, has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials, and civilians.

Since July last year, the Somali army, with the support of the AUSSOM and other international partners, has stepped up operations against al-Shabaab.

The AU mission's mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until Dec. 31, 2026.