Mogadishu The Somali National Army, in collaboration with international partners including the United States, carried out a planned overnight operation in the Middle Juba region. The operation destroyed what officials described as a major Al-Shabaab facility where explosives were being prepared, killing 18 militants, the Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.
The operation, which took place late Friday night in the Saakow district, targeted a factory used by the Al-Qaeda-linked group to manufacture and prepare explosives, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense and the Somali National Army Command. The facility was completely destroyed during the attack.

Mogadisho Ciidanka Xoogga Dalka Soomaaliyeed oo kaashanaya saaxiibada caalamiga ah ee Mareykanka, ayaa howlgal qorsheysan oo habeenimo ahaa ka fuliyay gobolka Jubada Dhexe. Howlgalkan ayaa lagu burburiyay wax ay saraakiishu ku tilmaameen xaruntii ugu weyneyd ee Al-Shabaab ay ku diyaarin jireen walxaha qarxa, iyadoo lagu dilay 18 xubnood oo ka tirsan maleeshiyada, sida ay sheegtay Wasaaradda Gaashaandhigga maalintii Sabtida.
​Howlgalkan oo dhacay goor dambe oo habeennimadii Jimcaha ahayd ayaa ka dhacay degmada Saakow, waxaana lala beegsaday warshad ay kooxda xiriirka la leh Al-Qaacida u isticmaali jirtay soo saarista iyo diyaarinta aaladaha qarxa, sida lagu sheegay bayaan ka soo baxay Wasaaradda Gaashaandhigga iyo Taliska Ciidanka Xoogga Dalka. Xaruntaas ayaa gabi ahaanba la burburiyay intii uu weerarku socday.