The Somali government Thursday said its soldiers — backed by international partners and local clan militias — have killed upwards of 350 al-Shabab militants and wounded dozens more in different operations in the country’s south and central regions.

VOA Somali was not able to verify the reported death tolls, and there was no immediate comment from the al-Shabab group through its spokesman or websites.

According to Somali officials, the Somali National Army carried out operations in Hiiraan in Hirshabelle State, Mudug in Galmudug State and lower Jubba region in Jubaland State.

At a news conference Thursday in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Adala said in one area of Hirshabelle, more than 200 al-Shabab militants were killed.

“The Somali National Army with the help of the local clan forces and international partners killed over 200 al-Shabab terrorists in the Iji area alone, about 23 kilometers from the Mahaday district in the Middle Shabelle region on Thursday,” Adala said. “Also, the joint forces recovered weapons and supplies of medicine and foodstuff from the militants.”