Militants attack African Union base in Somalia

Al-Shabab militants have targeted an African Union base in central Somalia that houses Burundian soldiers.

“We were awoken by huge blasts early in the morning. The blasts were at the African Union mission base which is some 130km, 80 miles, north-east of the capital, Mogadishu, Heavy exchange of gunfire followed,” local elder Mohamed Nur said.

Al Shabaab, which has been fighting for years to topple the central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islam’s sharia law, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al Shabaab said in a statement that, “the Mujahideen launched a pre-dawn raid on an African Union Mission military base, ATMIS, in El-Baraf, middle Shabelle region.”

“After a fierce firefight, the Mujahideen managed to overrun the base and are now in complete control of the entire military base.” they added

Officials in Shabelle and the African Union mission were not immediately available to comment on the attack.

Al Shabaab frequently carries out ‘bombings and gun attacks’ in Mogadishu and elsewhere as part of its war against the Horn of Africa country’s central government.

It also targets soldiers working for the African Union peacekeeping mission.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere