Mogadishu — The Minister of Defense for Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia Hussein Arab Isse, promised Monday to expand fight against Al Shabab militants in south-central Somalia.

The Minister told reporters on Monday that the coalition forces [Somali and AMISOM] operating in south and central Somalia made much progress in fighting Al Qaeda affiliated Al shabab fighters.

Minister Isse explained the TFG's objective is to wipe out Al Shabaab militants all from south and central strongholds of Somalia, in order to restore peace and order throughout in the country soon.

The coalition of forces fighting Al Shabaab includes Ethiopian, Kenyan, and AMISOM troops who have recently been effective in forcing Al Shabab to retreat several strategic towns in Somalia, mainly Mogadishu last year.