Somalia's president says Al Shabab killed 180 Kenyan soilders in El Ade attack

Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; has said at least 180 Kenyan troops were killed in January, when Al Shabab attacked their base in the southern town of El Ade.

President of #Somalia: More than 180 KDF soldiers were killed by Alshabab in the El Ade attack.#180IsnotJustaNumber pic.twitter.com/U3nZXbLozv

— Upright Citizen (@NEPpundit) February 25, 2016

President Mohamud gave the death toll in an interview with a local Somalia television station.

Al-Shabaab killed '180 Kenyan troops' in El-Ade attack, says president: https://t.co/h7wwBsGlkQ

— Shabelle Network (@Radio_Shabelle) February 25, 2016

According to media reports, the assault would be the deadliest operation by Al Shabab, since it was formed nearly a decade ago.

Kenya is however yet to give its own casualty figures for the attack, which the Islamist militant group claimed had killed about 100 Kenyan troops.

Kenya’s army spokesperson is reported to have said the Somali president’s information is untrue.

Kenya has about 4,000 troops in the 22,000-strong African Union force battling Al-Shabab, which is part of Al-Qaeda, in Somalia.