UPDATE - Al-Shabaab claims killing of 61 troops in Somalia

UPDATE WITH TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY'S CONDEMNATION

By Hassan Istiila

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - A Somalian militant group on Thursday claimed to have killed 61 troops and seized 16 military vehicles as they attacked a military base in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.

The attack took place on a military base in Af-Urur, a town in Galgala Mountains, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the port city of Bosaso.

Al-Shabaab militants briefly seized control of the base but the troops recaptured it later.

Puntland commander of Darawish forces in Sanaag region, Col. Abdullahi Omar Anshur, told reporters it was a major attack.

In a new conference, Puntland Security Minister Abdi Hirsi Ali denied the high death toll but did not give an exact number of casualties on their side.

"Most of the people killed by al-Shabaab were women, children and elders who were living in the district," he added.

Al-Shabaab and pro-Daesh fighters have hideouts in parts of Puntland.

The group has launched a number of attacks on security forces within Somalia. The group was driven out from the capital Mogadishu in 2011.

Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement condemned Al-Shabaab's terrorist attack in Somalia.

“We strongly condemn this terrorist attack against security forces who devotedly work to ensure peace and stability in the country,” the statement said.

“Our solidarity with the Somali people and government will continue in the fight against terrorism.”