Doha: A prominent leader of the Al-Shabaab movement, linked to Al-Qaeda, was killed in a military operation carried out by the Somali army in Middle Shabelle region, southeastern Somalia. Somali National News Agency (SONNA) quoted military sources Wednesday as saying that the Somali army carried out a military operation in Dar Nama'a area of the region, resulting in the leader's death.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Somali army has recently intensified its military operations targeting members of Al-Shabaab, with whom it has been engaged in battles for more than a decade. Over the past several months, it has succeeded in recapturing several areas from the movement in central Somalia.