E-Paper

UAE

Life and Living

World

Opinion

Business

Sports

Entertainment

Dubai World Cup

lifestyle

Travel

Reviews

Brands

Supplements

KT Events

KT APPDOWNLOAD

Militants attack African Union base in Somalia, dozens killed

 

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents
Militants attack African Union base in Somalia, dozens killed
Jubaland forces and Somali residents stand near the site of a suicide car bomb attack near a military training base in the port town Kismayu, south of capital Mogadishu.

Mogadishu - Captain Bilow Idow, a Somali military officer based in a town near Janale, said the base was effectively cut off as the militants had destroyed a nearby bridge.

By Reuters

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Tue 1 Sep 2015, 10:39 AM

Last updated: Tue 1 Sep 2015, 12:44 PM

Al Shebab militants attacked an African Union (AU) base in southern Somalia early on Tuesday, the group and residents said, with unconfirmed reports that dozens of AU soldiers were killed.
The Al Qaeda-aligned militants said one of their fighters rammed a car bomb into the base and then gunmen poured inside the facility run by the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM.
Al Shebab said 50 peacekeepers were killed in the attack on Janale base, about 90 km (55 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. In the past, the group has exaggerated the number of troops it has killed and officials have played down losses.
"Now Janale base of AMISOM is under our control," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al Shebab's military operations spokesman, told Reuters.
Captain Bilow Idow, a Somali military officer based in a town near Janale, said the base was effectively cut off as the militants had destroyed a nearby bridge.
"No reinforcement can reach there," Idow said. "There is much death and damage."
AMISOM and government officials could not be reached for comment but nearby residents confirmed the attack.
"After morning prayers we heard a big explosion followed by heavy gunfire in the AMISOM base. We do not have further details as we are indoors," resident Ahmed Olow said.


More news from