MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) Somalia's military, in partnership with its ally United States Military Command (AFRICOM), conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near the village of Wadajir, in the Lower Shabelle region, killing at least three militant, as they intensify attacks on the Somali militants, military officials said.

A Diinsoor resident told Horn Observer on Tuesday that the leaflets carried extensive information on the wanted jihadist Whiteman but said that it was too scary for the locals to pass any available information.

"The leaflets are good but locals don’t seem to have appetite willing to leak information to the any whether the Somali government or the Americans. We are not sure about our safety,” the local middle-aged man said "fighting terrorism needs confidence building and boosting among the locals.”

The United States says it has intensified its fight against the terror groups in Somalia.

Somalia’s Ministry of Information says the government in Mogadishu and its U.S. partner resolve in bringing to justice those who terrorize and exploit the people of Somalia.

A DARING ATTACK

Early on Wednesday heavily-armed al-Shabaab men raided a Somali army camp in Qoryooley, Lower Shabelle region.  The militants first destroyed the town’s bridge before engaging fierce gun battle against the military.

 "This morning al-Shabaab attacked the town of Qoryooley despite their being no SNA or AMISOM forces in the town. The people of Qoryooley fought back with their own weapons, forcing al-Shabaab to retreat from the area. Al-Shabaab continues to conduct cowardly attacks on innocent civilians in Somalia and neighboring countries.” Somalia government statement sent to the newsrooms said on Wednesday.