The Al-Qaeda-linked group has been fighting the Somali government for more than two decades and continues to control large areas of the country despite a major international military operation against it.

Al-Shabaab said it launched an attack on government troops and allied forces in the Lower Shabelle region on Monday afternoon, killing 321 soldiers

Clashes Between Somali Army and Al-Shabaab Militants Leave Dozens of Dead

Clashes between Somali government forces and militants from the Al-Shabaab insurgent group on Monday may have left dozens of people dead, according to accounts from both sides.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group has been fighting the Somali government for more than two decades and continues to control large areas of the country despite a major international military operation against it.

Al-Shabaab said it launched an attack on government troops and allied forces in the Lower Shabelle region on Monday afternoon, killing 321 soldiers.

However, Somalia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that federal troops had killed 75 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded 56 others during a counterattack near the city of Jowhar.

In a statement, the ministry said the Somali National Army had conducted an operation dubbed Operation Banada on October 26, targeting Al-Shabaab positions in Jowhar. The operation reportedly involved a major assault that lasted several hours.