There was no immediate confirmation of the casualty figures as the security forces still battle to end the siege at the hotel.

The SNA office stated that the military operations against Al-Shabaab will continue until they remove the militants from the areas and districts in the Middle Shabelle region under their control.

Galmudug security officials said that foreigners were rescued in an area located between Hobyo and Haradhere, the main Al-Shabaab stronghold in Mudug province.

At the end of October, Somalia saw its deadliest attack since 2017, 121 were people killed and 333 injured in a double car bombing in the capital, Mogadishu.

Aerial photographs showing a pile of what seemed to be dead bodies were shared on a Telegram channel linked to the national army Saturday.

The UN has also warned of growing instability in the country, with its periodic reports on Somalia this year detailing attacks by Al-Shabaab and pro-Daesh groups.

However, the PSC said the original total exit dates will remain unchanged. The slight revision of the draw-down means a new programme will be publicised by end of February 2023.

Ali Gadud mosque and Nur-Dugle areas were key strongholds for Al-Shabaab and served as the group's supply routes since are located on the main road linking to central regions. 

Also, the report added that 68 villages were taken by the army and local clan militias from Al-Shabaab, mainly in the Hiran region, where the uprising began in August of this year.

A report issued by Prime Minister Hamza on Wednesday announced that 600 Al-Shabaab members were killed in the last three months and 68 locations were liberated by the Somali forces.

Malik Abdallah, a member of Parliament from Somalia’s Hiraan region, said he is among those who’ve been to the rural areas to engage the clan fighters. 

The raid averted a planned Al-Shabaab attack, said the statement. The Al-Qaeda-linked group is yet to comment on the government's claims.