Somalia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that the national army, backed by regional security forces, carried out a “large-scale operation” in southern provinces, killing 27 Al Shabaab terrorists, including key members of the group.

The operations were conducted in areas under Jilib, Hagar, and Afmadow districts in the Middle and Lower Juba regions, targeting Al Shabaab as forces advanced on the ground, the ministry said in a statement.

“During the course of these ground operations, airstrikes supported by international partners were carried out in parallel, effectively intensifying the targeting of Al Shabaab militants hiding in those areas,” the statement read.

It added that forces also seized weapons, military equipment, and landmines the group had intended to use against civilians.

“The Somali National Armed Forces continues operations to pursue the remaining Al Shabaab elements in order to ensure security, stability and the safety of civilians living in Somalia,” the statement added.

Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials, and civilians.

Since July, Somali forces, backed by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and other partners, have intensified operations against the group in support of the federal government.

The mission’s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council in December under a UK-backed resolution extending authorisation through Dec. 31.