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Casualties feared as Al-Shabaab attacks AU base in Somalia

Xinhua, September 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Many were feared dead after Al-Shabaab militants stormed an African Union military base in lower Shaballe region of southern Somalia on Tuesday, witnesses said.

Local resident Nuradiin Haji told Xinhua that they heard heavy explosions and gunfire at the military base of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in Janale town early Tuesday morning. Janale is about 120 km south of the capital Mogadishu.

"We heard huge explosions and both sides exchanged heavy gunfire. There were many casualties, but we did not know how many were dead or injured," he said

Sources at the scene said the casualties were significantly high on both sides after an hour-long gun battle between AMISOM and the insurgents.

Al-Shabaab, which wants to topple the Western-backed government in Mogadishu, has claimed responsibility for the raid, saying it had killed over 50 AMISOM soldiers. Endi