The Somali information minister said on Sunday that 17 al Shabaab "commanders" were “neutralized” over the past six months.

Daud Aweis reaffirmed the government’s commitment to counterterrorism in a statement posted on X.

The minister said al-Shabaab terrorists who renounce violence and join rehabilitation programs would be granted amnesty.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group has been responsible for several mass killings in Somalia and neighbouring nations over the past 16 years, targeting security forces and civilians.

Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and other international partners, has stepped up operations against al Shabaab.

The African Union’s mission mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until December 31.