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Al-Shabab militant base 'attacked' on coast of Somalia | Al-Shabab militant base 'attacked' on coast of Somalia |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Islamist fighters in southern Somalia say Western forces have launched a night-time raid on one of their bases. | Islamist fighters in southern Somalia say Western forces have launched a night-time raid on one of their bases. |
The militant group al-Shabab told the BBC "white soldiers" had arrived by boat at the port of Barawe and rebels had repulsed them, losing a fighter. | |
No-one has admitted the attack. US and French special forces have carried out raids in Somalia in recent years. | No-one has admitted the attack. US and French special forces have carried out raids in Somalia in recent years. |
It is not clear whether it is linked to last month's attack in neighbouring Kenya, which al-Shabab has claimed. | |
At least 67 people were killed after militants stormed the Westgate shopping centre in the capital, Nairobi, on 21 September. | At least 67 people were killed after militants stormed the Westgate shopping centre in the capital, Nairobi, on 21 September. |
Residents in Barawe, which is controlled by militants, say they were woken up by heavy fighting before dawn on Saturday. | Residents in Barawe, which is controlled by militants, say they were woken up by heavy fighting before dawn on Saturday. |
"Gunfire broke out for about 10-15 minutes," an eyewitness told AFP news agency. | "Gunfire broke out for about 10-15 minutes," an eyewitness told AFP news agency. |
It is not clear who the target of the raid was. | It is not clear who the target of the raid was. |
Several residents are quoted as saying the soldiers tried to storm a house sheltering senior al-Shabab leaders. | Several residents are quoted as saying the soldiers tried to storm a house sheltering senior al-Shabab leaders. |
However, an unnamed Somali intelligence official told the Associated Press news agency that the targets of had been "high-profile" foreigners. | However, an unnamed Somali intelligence official told the Associated Press news agency that the targets of had been "high-profile" foreigners. |
Local al-Shabab commander Mohamed Abu Suleiman said the raid had failed and the group remained in control of Barawe. | Local al-Shabab commander Mohamed Abu Suleiman said the raid had failed and the group remained in control of Barawe. |
Western navies tasked with fighting piracy patrol the seas off Somalia, which has been beset by conflict for more than two decades. | Western navies tasked with fighting piracy patrol the seas off Somalia, which has been beset by conflict for more than two decades. |
In 2009, US Navy commandos attacked and killed an al-Qaeda leader, Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, in a daylight raid on Barawe. | In 2009, US Navy commandos attacked and killed an al-Qaeda leader, Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, in a daylight raid on Barawe. |
Washington has also used drones in Somalia to support the government and African Union forces in their battle against al-Shabab. | Washington has also used drones in Somalia to support the government and African Union forces in their battle against al-Shabab. |
France carried out an unsuccessful raid to free a French intelligence agent in January. Two French commandos were killed and al-Shabab later reported that it had killed the agent. | France carried out an unsuccessful raid to free a French intelligence agent in January. Two French commandos were killed and al-Shabab later reported that it had killed the agent. |