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.
Al-Shabab attacks African Union base in Somalia
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.