Iran Press/ Africa: Mohamed Tahlil Bihi, SNA commander of land forces who led the operations, told the Somali news agency that Mohamed Wehliye Wasuge, the extremist group's leader in Mahas region, was among those killed.
Bihi said SNA troops also recovered weapons and ammunition during the operations in four villages in Mahas.
Government forces have been fighting al-Shabab in southern regions where militants are still holding swathes of rural areas, conducting ambushes and planting landmines.
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