Mogadishu, July 18 (QNA) - The Somali armed forces, in lockstep with international partners, conducted an airstrike on Saturday targeting hideouts of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabaab group in the south-central region of Hiiraan, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the operation took out 25 militants and wounded 18 others, adding that four remnants surrendered while others fled, leaving behind their weapons after incurring heavy casualties during the operation.

The Somali ministry noted that the operation was part of the ongoing military campaign to blunt the group's capabilities, as well as go after remnants and eliminate them to reinforce security and stability across the country.

For over a year, the Somali military has been ramping up military operations against the group and has achieved success in recent months by taking out multiple operatives and recapturing numerous areas that were under the group's control, especially in the central part of the country. (QNA)