Fighters from the al-Shabab militant Islamist group have overrun an African Union military base in southern Somalia, inflicting heavy casualties, witnesses have told the BBC.
The militants said they have killed 70 AU soldiers at the Janale base, 90km (55 miles) south-east of the capital.
AU forces have insisted they are still in control of the base. Al-Shabab, part of al-Qaeda, is battling the AU-backed government for control of Somalia.
Residents said the attack started with a suicide car bombing at the base’s gate, followed by sustained gunfire which lasted more than an hour. They told the BBC Somali service that AU forces were seen leaving the base, which is run by the Ugandan troops.
BBC.
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