Somalia repels Al-Shabaab attack on military base: official

Al-Shabaab fighters on Sunday night raided a military base in the southern Somali state of Jubaland but were repulsed after fierce fighting, a senior military official has confirmed.

The official named Abdi Sadik told Xinhua on Monday that heavy fighting took place near the military base in Kismayo, the capital city of Jubaland, but denied there were casualties on their side.

"The fighting broke out after Al-Shabaab attempted to capture the base by battle, but our forces managed to push them," Abdi said, adding that it caused casualties among the militants.

Local resident Haji Nunow said there was a heavy exchange of fire which lasted for some hours.

"We heard the sound of heavy gunfire, we were unable to get outside, because it was at night," he said.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying many soldiers were killed -- which is denied by Somali officials.

In the latest series of attacks, Al-Shabaab last Friday stormed an African Union (AU) peacekeepers' base in southern Somalia's Leego town, claiming to have killed "more than 50 soldiers."

The militant group reportedly vowed to step up attacks on government and AU forces during the holy month of Ramadan. Endi