Somali national army claims its troops kill at least 40 al-Shabaab members

“The Somali National Forces killed at least 40 Al-Shabab terrorists in Cali Fooldheere district in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia, and ceased weapons from the militants in the operations they did in the Shabelle region,” Somali National News Agency reported.

Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen (Movement of Striving Youth), more commonly known as al-Shabaab, is an Islamic group based in East Africa.

In 2012, it pledged allegiance to the organization Al-Qaeda.

Al-Shabaab's troop strength was estimated at 7,000 to 9,000 militants in 2014.

As of 2015, the group has retreated from the major cities; however, al-Shabaab still controls large parts of the rural areas. (ILKHA)