The United States military says it has killed 35 armed al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

The US Africa Command said the attack took place as the Islamist militants were moving between locations in the central Hiran region on Sunday.

“This air strike targeted armed al Shabaab militants as they were transitioning between locations in a rural area,” the statement added.

While the pace of strikes has increased recently, it is unclear what lasting impact, if any, the strikes are having on the militant group.

Al Shabaab wants to overthrow the weak, U.N.-backed Somali government and impose strict Islamic law.