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Al-Shabaab attacks AU base in S. Somalia

Xinhua, June 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Somali militant group Al-Shabaab on Friday staged an attack on a military base of the Africa Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in Lower Shebelle, south of Somalia, with many casualties feared.

Abdulkadir Nor Sidi, Lower Shabelle region mayor, said the attack in Lego district saw a suicide bomber blow up his car at the gate of the base, sparking a fierce gun fight.

"There are many casualties among the warring parties, and this is the fiercest battle, both sides are still fighting and we will know more later," Sidi told Xinhua by telephone.

"The battle is very intense and the parties are still exchanging heavy machine gun fire," said Adan Abdulle, a resident in Lego.

"We feel afraid because of the strength of the battle. We will stay at home until the fighting ends," he added.

Al-Shabaab, which reportedly vowed to step up attacks on government bases during the holy month of Ramadan, later claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Wednesday, at least 14 people were killed and five others were injured in a roadside car bomb explosion targeting diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Endi