The strike on Adan Yabaal, 220 kilometres (140 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu came as Al-Shabaab fighters raided the key town used as a base by Somali military commanders.

Growing attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked group, including one on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy, are fuelling worries of a jihadist resurgence after militants were forced back in recent years.

The strike on Wednesday night by Somali armed forces and the US Africa Command "aimed to neutralize the threat posed" by Al Shabaab, the information ministry said in a statement posted on X.

"The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout," it said. "Preliminary reports indicate that 12...operatives, including senior leaders, were eliminated."

Somali government forces took control of Adan Yabaal from Al-Shabaab in December 2022 during the major offensive backed by African Union peacekeeping forces.