Somali army and Jubaland state forces which are backed by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Monday killed 24 Al-Shabaab militants.
Khiyar Abdi Mohamed, a commander of one of Jubaland units said a fierce exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the terrorists erupted on Monday in the outskirts of Kismayo town leaving another 19 terrorists injured.
"There was a fierce fire exchange between our army and the militants, but the forces defeated the extremists and killed 24 of them and injured more than 19 others," said the commander.
More information reveals that the government forces ambushed the militants just as they were gathering in Kismayo town.
"As the militants were gathering in the town, they were suddenly attacked by government forces, both exchanged gunfire which caused casualties of warring sides and the residents," Hafsa Elmi, a resident told Xinhua News Agency by phone.
Kismayo, which is one of the towns inhabited by the Somali-based terror group is under KDF's Sector 6 and 2 in the AMISOM arrangement.
This means that Kenyan soldiers are responsible for training and logistical planning of Jubaland security forces in the area.
Kenya Defence Forces moved into Southern Somalia in 2011 to pursue insurgents after a series of kidnappings of tourists along the border.