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At least 30 killed as Al-Shabaab militants 'overrun' AU base

Friday June 26 2015

At least 30 people were killed after gunmen attacked an African Union (Amisom) military base in southern Somalia, witnesses said.

The militants launched the early Friday massive attack on Lego army base, manned by Burundian soldiers who are part of the 22,000 strong Amisom battalion.

Residents of Lego, about 140km south of Mogadishu, confirmed that heavy fighting took place between the Al-Shabaab and the AU peacekeepers assisted by and the Somali National Army (SNA).

The huge confrontation reportedly started with Al-Shabaab militants crashing a suicide car against the wall of the compound hosting the pro-government forces.

“The big bang was followed by substantial exchange of fire,” residents told the local media.

Lower Shaballe Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Sidee confirmed.

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Lego settlement Chief Bulle Hassan also confirmed the intense fighting, especially involving the Amisom troops.

However, Al-Shabaab used their information outlets to claim victory, including the capture of the compound and burning of the Amisom vehicles and equipment.

Witnesses said they had seen as many as 50 bodies but the reports were impossible to independently confirm. Some bodies were reportedly beheaded.

Local elder Ahmed Bulle said the death toll could be higher as many bodies were strewn around the base.

The holy month

He said the militants had also looted the base, carting away weapons, ammunition and vehicles.

"The Shabaab militants took control of the area completely — the death toll could be more than 50. There are many dead bodies most of them in military uniforms," Mr Bulle said.

Al-Shabaab spokesman said they had taken control of the base, killing "dozens" and had raised their flag and seized weapons.

"The Black Islamic flag is flying over the main base of Amisom in Lego this morning and the dead bodies of the enemy are scattered around the area, the mujahedeen fighters have taken all their military supplies," Mohamed Abu-Yahya, a Shabaab commander said.

An Amisom spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Njuguna, confirmed that an attack and gun battle had taken place but could not provide any casualty figures.

"This morning there was an attack on our camp at Lego," he said, adding that fighting continued for hours with reinforcements sent to the base, located on the main road between Mogadishu and the western regional capital of Baidoa.

The Al-Qaeda linked jihadists have promised attacks on the Somali government positions during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The group has carried out suicide missions and other attacks in and outside Mogadishu since the start of Ramadhan on June 19.

People in Mogadishu and elsewhere in Somalia have been holding their breath as the feared militants aim to emulate the jihad wars of Prophet Mohammed during the advent of Islam more than 14 centuries ago.    

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