MOGADISHU — At least 117 militants of Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group were killed in an operation carried out by the Somali National Army, according to local media.

The eight-hour-long operation was co-carried out by the army and Galmudug regional forces, with the support of Somalia’s international security partners in Donlaye, near Amara town, the country’s official news agency reported.

Donlaye, which is one the strongholds of Al-Shabaab militants, was also retaken during the army operation following intensive airstrikes, commander of the Infantry of the Somali National Army Gen. Mohammad Tahlil was quoted by the agency as saying.

He added that army forces were chasing the remnants who have fled into the forest during military confrontations.

Three weeks earlier, a US air strike assisting government troops in Somalia has killed about 30 Al-Shabaab militants.

The US military said, the operation happened near the town of Galcad, about 260km (162 miles) northeast of the capital Mogadishu.

The Somali army and Al-Shabaab militants hde fought for control of the town, prior to the US strike.

The strike came as the army was being attacked by more than 100 militants, the US Africa Command said.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting Somalia’s central government since 2006, aiming to impose an Islamist regime. While it has been pushed out of Mogadishu and other areas it continues to attack military and civilian targets. — Agencies