Somali army frees 40 children kidnapped by Al Shabaab

MOGADISHU: The Somali army killed 16 Al Shabaab militants in an offensive in lower Shabelle province on Saturday, officials said, in an attempt to free dozens of children. The children had been kidnapped by the Islamist group as possible future recruits, Ahmed Hassan, a senior commander, told DPA. “The troops captured Nuunay village where Al Shabaab was holding at least 40 children to recruit as suicide bombers and future fighters,” he said. (DPA)