Armed militants with the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab group have launched an overnight attack on African Union troops’ military base in the southern Lower Shabelle region, residents said.
Al Shabaab fighters armed with rocket propelled launchers and machine guns stormed the AMISOM base at Km-60 area in the region and engaged in deadly gunfight with the AU peacekeepers.
Al Shabaab said its combatants have hit the AMISOM base with RPGs and grenade bombs, that led to a heavy exchange of gunfire. The fighting which raged on for 40 minutes has caused unverified casualties.
Confirming the attack, a senior Somali army officer in the region, told Radio Shabelle over the phone that the militants were overpowered during a small confrontation with the African Union forces at Km-60.
Al Shabaab has intensified its daring attacks on SNA and AMISOM base in the country’s south and central, with regaining major grounds that were vacated by Ethiopian soldiers in October.
