Al-Shabab attacks African Union base in Somalia

Islamic Militant group, Al-shabab on Friday attacked an African Union (AU) Peacekeeping base in Southwester Somalia. A Somali military official said the group force their way into the compound exchanging fire with the peacekeepers.

The base is run by Kenyan troops who are part of the AU force in the town of El-Ade, not far from the Kenyan border.

Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta described the attack as heartbreaking adding that Kenya troops were killed in the attack but gave no figure.

Al-Shabab spokesman, Abdiaziz Abu Mudan said at least 63 soldiers died.

#Latest_News Islamic extremists group ‘Al-Shabab’ attacks African Union base in Somalia, claims of… https://t.co/K4KNfEdTqZ #World_News

— Raghwendra Kumar (@naveenjosh) January 15, 2016

Kenya has provided a major contingent to the AU force which is fighting al-Shabab, a Somali Islamic extremist group linked with al-Qaida, and assisting the elected government of Somalia. Somali military official Ahmed Hassan, said the attack started with a suicide car bomb, and then heavy gunfire was heard as militants stormed the base.

Last September, 19 Ugandan soldiers were killed when al-Shabab fighters stormed an AU base in southern Somalia.

The group, which has ties with al-Qaida, has also carried out many deadly attacks in Kenya.