Somali forces kill 30 al-Shabab militants in Mudug region

Somali government forces, backed by local militias, killed at least 30 al-Shabab militants during a military operation in the south of the Mudug region, the Ministry of Information announced on Saturday. 

Mohamed Bashir Muse, known as Mukhtar, who led al-Shabab's military forces in the area, and Maadey Foodey, responsible for preparing explosives to terrorize local populations in the Mudug region, were among the militants killed in the operation in Qay'ad village. 

The ministry's statement also reported that 40 other militants were wounded during the operation, which is part of the government's ongoing offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked group.

The operation follows a deadly suicide bombing in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, just two days earlier. A bomber targeted a crowded restaurant near the General Kaahiye Police Academy, killing seven people and injuring six others. 

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, continuing its long-standing campaign of violence aimed at toppling Somalia's government.