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Al-Shabaab militants storm military base southwest of Mogadishu

Xinhua, March 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Somalia militants Al-Shabaab stormed a military base in Lanta-bure, about 40km southwest of somali capital Mogadishu, killing at least one person on Sunday night, officials confirmed on Monday.

Ahmed Abdulle, lieutenant Colonel of Somali National Army (SNA) based in Lanta-bure said the army foiled the attack but confirmed one person was killed.

"SNA resisted Al-Shabaab fighters who attacked our base, we have also taken back an armed vehicle in which the group took earlier. The attack did not happen as per their intention," Abdulle said.

However, Al-Shabab militants claimed victory over the attack, saying they had captured the army base, killed 73 government soldiers and taken 10 armed vehicles.

The militant group frequently exaggerates the number of troops/civilians they massacre, while African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) rarely gives exact tolls.

Government officials and officials of Southwest Administration in Somalia confirmed the attack by Al-Shabaab at the army, but did not give the exact number of casualties in the attack.

The attack came hours after the Kenyan soldiers serving under AMISOM said they killed 34 militants in separate fighting over the weekend. Enditem