This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35321522
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Al-Shabab attacks African Union base in Somalia | Al-Shabab attacks African Union base in Somalia |
(35 minutes later) | |
Al-Shabab militants have overrun an African Union military base in Somalia. | Al-Shabab militants have overrun an African Union military base in Somalia. |
The Islamist group says it has taken "complete control" of the camp and killed more than 60 Kenyan soldiers. | |
Militants attacked the southern el-Ade base for Somali soldiers before dawn and fighting continued for several hours, Kenya's military spokesman said. | |
He says Kenyan troops based nearby counter-attacked and fought the insurgents. The number of casualties was not known, he said. | |
A resident nearby told the BBC by phone that he heard a loud explosion at about 05:30 local time (02:30 GMT), followed by heavy gunfire. | |
"We then saw an al-Shabab fighter in the town. We also saw Kenyan soldiers who were fleeing from the camp. | |
"At the moment the camp is in the hands of al-Shabab. We can see military cars burning and dead soldiers all over the place. There are no civilian casualties but most people have fled the town." | |
African Union troops in Somalia are helping the UN-backed government battle al-Shabab, which is part of al-Qaeda. |