... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...fighters, the government said on Friday.
In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said the operation was carefully planned and inflicted "significant losses" on the holy warrior group.
The ministry said weapons and equipment used by the Islamist holy warrior group were also destroyed during the strike.
Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government for more than a decade, frequently carrying out bombings and armed attacks across Somalia.
The ministry added that similar operations would continue in an effort to weaken the group and eliminate its remaining strongholds in the country.
Independent verification of the casualties and damage was not immediately possible.
Somali special forces arrest Al-Shabaab suspects in operation near Afgoye town
[ShabelleMedia] Somalia’s elite Danab special forces carried out a planned security operation in areas near Afgoye district in the Lower Shabelle region, arresting suspected al-Shabaab
... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...members and seizing weapons, military officials said Friday.
The operation was conducted by the armored unit of the Danab commandos and targeted areas under Afgooye, southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, according to a statement from the elite force.
Officials said the troops captured several suspected members of the Islamist krazed killer group who were allegedly carrying weapons and materials used in attacks and acts of insecurity against civilians.
Commanders leading the operation said one of the suspects attempted to resist arrest but was subdued and captured alive by the special forces.
The troops also seized an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, a pistol carried by one of the suspects, and materials allegedly used in the manufacture of improvised bombs, the statement said.