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Shabab Militants Attack African Union Base in Somalia Shabab Militants Attack African Union Base in Somalia
(about 5 hours later)
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Rebels with the Shabab militant group attacked an African Union Mission base in southern Somalia on Friday, and the group claimed to have killed as many as 50 soldiers from Burundi and Somalia. MOGADISHU, Somalia — Rebels with the Shabab militant group attacked an African Union Mission base in southern Somalia on Friday, and the group claimed to have killed as many as 50 soldiers from Burundi and Somalia.
The attack began Friday morning when militants detonated a car bomb at the entrance of the base in Lego, in the Lower Shabelle region, about 75 miles south of Mogadishu, the Somali capital. An hourlong firefight ensued.The attack began Friday morning when militants detonated a car bomb at the entrance of the base in Lego, in the Lower Shabelle region, about 75 miles south of Mogadishu, the Somali capital. An hourlong firefight ensued.
The Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack through a spokesman, Ali Mohamoud Raghe, who said the group had killed as many as 50 African Union soldiers and had confiscated military equipment.The Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack through a spokesman, Ali Mohamoud Raghe, who said the group had killed as many as 50 African Union soldiers and had confiscated military equipment.
“Some of the Burundian and the Somali soldiers witnessing the massacre of their colleagues had run to the bush for safety, where they are being sought,” Mr. Raghe said in a message broadcast by Radio Andalus, a station affiliated with the Shabab.“Some of the Burundian and the Somali soldiers witnessing the massacre of their colleagues had run to the bush for safety, where they are being sought,” Mr. Raghe said in a message broadcast by Radio Andalus, a station affiliated with the Shabab.
He added that after taking over the base, the group began supplying food to nearby residents. The base is a strategic supply chain for African Union troops, according to the Shabab.He added that after taking over the base, the group began supplying food to nearby residents. The base is a strategic supply chain for African Union troops, according to the Shabab.
The Somali government, in a statement from the foreign ministry, called the attack “heinous and unforgivable,” and praised the “courage, commitment and sacrifice” of the soldiers from the mission.The Somali government, in a statement from the foreign ministry, called the attack “heinous and unforgivable,” and praised the “courage, commitment and sacrifice” of the soldiers from the mission.
The government said the attack would not deter it “from achieving its ambitions of peace, progress and prosperity for its entire people and the wider region by the cowardly acts of those who hide behind a bankrupted and fraudulent interpretation of our beautiful Islamic religion.”The government said the attack would not deter it “from achieving its ambitions of peace, progress and prosperity for its entire people and the wider region by the cowardly acts of those who hide behind a bankrupted and fraudulent interpretation of our beautiful Islamic religion.”
The African Union Mission in Somalia, which helps fight the Shabab, did not confirm the number of troops killed in the attack. Burundi, which is also fighting threats from the Shabab, has the mission’s second-largest troop contingent, with more than 5,400 soldiers.The African Union Mission in Somalia, which helps fight the Shabab, did not confirm the number of troops killed in the attack. Burundi, which is also fighting threats from the Shabab, has the mission’s second-largest troop contingent, with more than 5,400 soldiers.
The head of the mission, Maman S. Sidikou, condemned the attack and registered his solidarity with the government and the people of Burundi.The head of the mission, Maman S. Sidikou, condemned the attack and registered his solidarity with the government and the people of Burundi.
“This attack will not dampen our resolve to continue to support the Somali government and people until they are free from terrorism,” he said in a statement.“This attack will not dampen our resolve to continue to support the Somali government and people until they are free from terrorism,” he said in a statement.
On Wednesday, two civilians and three Somali soldiers were killed in Mogadishu when Shabab militants attacked a convoy carrying military trainers.On Wednesday, two civilians and three Somali soldiers were killed in Mogadishu when Shabab militants attacked a convoy carrying military trainers.