Somali special forces captured several al-Shabaab fighters, including the son of a senior commander, during an operation in Toratorow in the Lower Shabelle region, authorities said.
The Danab commando unit carried out the raid in the Towfiiq area as part of an offensive targeting hideouts used by the al-Qaida-linked extremist group.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that two militants were arrested alive and accused of extorting and abusing civilians in the area.
One of the detainees, identified as Zakariye, was found to be the son of Macallin Cabdirahman, a prominent al-Shabaab leader who is being pursued by government forces, according to the ministry.
Troops also seized a motorcycle allegedly used by the militants, along with weapons and materials believed to have been intended for attacks on civilians.
The ministry said operations will continue as Somalia and African Union forces push to clear remaining pockets of al-Shabaab fighters in Lower Shabelle.
Officials described the raid as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the group’s network and restore security in communities affected by years of insurgency.
