Al-Shabaab terrorists attack African Union forces base in Somalia: Official

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Al-Shabaab terrorists on Friday attacked an African Union forces base in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, a security official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said that the base in the town of Bulo Marer was targeted with heavy explosions and gunfire.

The base, located 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu, houses the Ugandan forces serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

In a statement, the African Union mission confirmed the attack and said they are “currently assessing the security situation.”

Casualties from the attack are unknown.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the terror groups al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS being the main threats.

The group has been fighting against the Somali government and the African Union mission in Somalia since 2007.