At least two senior al-Shabaab leaders have been killed and several others were wounded following a security operation by Somali National Army (Army) outside Hudur town in southern Somalia.
In a statement, the Somali military said the security operation was conducted Monday in Dhurshen-Shebelle village which is 35 kilometres away from Hudur town.
The two were identified as Ahmed Moragabay and Ali Garweyne who were in charge of tax collecting extortion.
Somali forces have recently intensified operations against -Shabaab fighters in the south and central Somalia.
The forces liberated dozens of villages in the Hiiran, Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions.
Despite losing towns and villages, the group is still capable of carrying out deadly bombings in major towns controlled by the Somali government.
Last month, over 130 people were killed and more than 200 others were wounded after two bombings took place in Zobe junction.
