The Somali National Army, in coordination with local forces, repelled an attack by Al-Shabaab militants in the Elder district, killing more than 60 of the group's militants and wounding more than 50, the Somali Ministry of Defense announced.

Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiki said the attack took place in the Lingaaga area and caused heavy losses to al-Shabaab.

He added that "more than 60 members of the group were killed and more than 50 were wounded," the minister said, adding that several militants had been captured alive, according to Somalia's state news agency SONA.

The minister said that two senior al-Shabaab leaders, Dadullah and Sabir, were among those killed in the attack, adding that the militants were forced to retreat, leaving behind the bodies of their dead members.

The Somali army, along with allied forces, continued their operation up to 20 kilometers from the district to capture the militants who had escaped.