Kenya's military says an air strike in southern Somalia has killed 17 al-Shabab militants.

Army spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir said the air raid was carried out late Tuesday on a village south of the town of Kismayo, an al-Shabab stronghold.

Witnesses say at least seven civilians died in the attack. A man told VOA his pregnant wife and three of his daughters were among those killed.

Kenya has conducted many air raids targeting al-Shabab since sending troops into southern Somalia in October.

Kenya accuses the al-Qaida-linked militant group of kidnapping foreigners on Kenyan soil.

The militants say they are fighting to overthrow Somalia's U.N.-backed government and impose a strict form of Islamic law.