MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali police official says more than 200 suspects have been arrested in a security sweep aimed at stemming a wave of militant attacks in Mogadishu, the capital.

Col. Ahmed Ali said Tuesday that the operation was carried out by government troops and African Union peacekeepers.

Soldiers manned checkpoints in Mogadishu's northern outskirts, where they raided the homes and shops of suspects and arrested many people, mostly young men.

He said the operation will continue "until we stop terrorist attacks."

Although the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab was ousted from its bases in Mogadishu in 2011, militants continue to stage lethal attacks across the seaside city.

Last week militants assaulted and entered Villa Somalia, the heavily guarded compound in Mogadishu that houses the presidential palace.