MOGADISHU, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Somali security forces, backed by international partners, have killed 29 al-Shabaab militants including a senior commander during a joint operation in the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions of central Somalia, officials said.

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday that the allied forces had launched two separate, coordinated raids after intelligence reports revealed that dozens of group members were gathering to organize terrorist activities across the region.

"The forces killed 23 al-Shabaab militants near Masjid Ali Gudud in Middle Shabelle in the first operation, and they later killed five and a commander at Buq Aqable in the Hiran region," NISA said. ■