The Somali government claims to have killed hundreds of al-Shabab extremists just one day after a truck bombing in the central town of Beledweyne killed at least 20 persons.
According to Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Al-Adalah, the militant camp in Caad village, Galmudug state, was targeted by the Somali army and local militia.
The number of al-Shabab fighters could not be verified immediately, and the group has not responded to the government's assertions.
The government also claims that its forces have retaken communities in the western Hiiraan region from jihadists.
It comes as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Djibouti to discuss the war against the al-Qaeda-linked group that has been fighting in Somalia for more than 15 years.
The Somali government has increased its military operation against al-Shabab in recent months but has recently suffered defeats in the struggle in central Somalia.
The US provides military, humanitarian, and training assistance to Somalia, and its forces also assist Somali troops by conducting air attacks against al-Shabab.
Austin is on a three-nation tour in Africa. He's already been to Djibouti, where he met President Ismail Omar Guelleh and talked about regional security.
He is scheduled to be in Kenya's capital on Monday to sign a defence pact before concluding his journey in Angola.
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