The SNA chief Ibrahim Sheikh Muhidin said senior al-Shabab commanders were among the dead during the military onslaught against the al-Qaida linked terrorist group which were conducted on Saturday and early Sunday.

"The al-Shabab terrorists suffered heavy casualties and lost 76 fighters during operations conducted in the past two days," Muhidin said.

He added that the military onslaught destroyed al-Shabab bases and vehicles, adding that troops were making progress in vanquishing the militants from their strongholds in central and southern Somalia.

Al-Shabab extremist group that is fighting to topple the government has been facing enormous pressure and offensive from government forces backed by the local militia in central Somalia.

The extremist group was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, but the terror group is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants and public places.