Somalia: Al-Shabaab Attacks African Union Base In Janale
By MISNA
Al-Shabaab insurgents Tuesday at dawn attacked an African Union base, entering the structure. Sources confirmed that the militants, in battle against the Somali central authorities, targeted the Janale base, around 80km south-west of Mogadishu, in the Lower Shabelle region.
Local witnesses said they heard a loud explosion near the entrance of the base, run by Burundian soldiers, followed by an exchange of fire.
In a statement, the Islamists claimed the attack, that they killed “dozens” of AU soldiers. No official toll of the attack has been released.
In the month of June, al-Shabaab insurgents killed dozens of Burundian soldiers after attacking an AMISOM post north-west of the capital. The 22,000-strong AU contingent over the past months has however gained grounds over the insurgents, forcing them out of their strongholds in the south-west.