Somalia: Three dead as al-Shabab attacks AU peacekeepers camp

The al-Shabab assault comes amid a protracted political disaster in Somalia and a drought disaster within the Horn of Africa.

Troopers belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia trying via the scope of a sniper for enemy fighters on a hill overlooking the al-Shabab stronghold of Barawe, Somalia, in October 2014 [File: AMISOM via AFP]

The armed group al-Shabab has attacked an African Union mission troop camp within the Shabelle area in central Somalia, a neighborhood elder and the group have mentioned.

“We have been awoken by enormous blasts early within the morning. The blasts have been on the African Union mission base. Heavy alternate of gunfire adopted,” native elder Mohamed Nur informed the Reuters information company on Tuesday by cellphone from El Baraf, about 130km (80 miles) to the north of the capital, Mogadishu.

One other resident, who lives in a village close to the scene, mentioned three civilians had died within the crossfire. He additionally mentioned he noticed two helicopters flying by and gunfire coming from them.

Al-Shabab, which has been combating for years to topple the central authorities and set up its personal rule based mostly on its strict interpretation of Islamic legislation, claimed duty for the assault.

“The Mujahideen launched a pre-dawn raid on an ATMIS [African Union Mission] army base in El Baraf, center Shabelle area,” al-Shabab mentioned in a press release.

“After a fierce firefight, the Mujahideen managed to overrun the bottom and at the moment are in full management of your entire army base.”

Farah Hussein, a shopkeeper, informed Reuters from El Baraf that after the preliminary assault, helicopters have been seen flying above the scene.

“We heard some gunshots and sounds of weapons being fired from the helicopters,” he mentioned by cellphone.

“The ATMIS forces are additionally within the jungles pursuing the al-Shabab fighters. To this point we all know three civilians died and 5 others have been injured within the combating.”

Officers in Shabelle and the African Union mission weren't instantly out there to touch upon the assault.

Al-Shabab continuously carries out bombings and gun assaults in Mogadishu and elsewhere as a part of its warfare towards the Horn of Africa nation’s central authorities.

It additionally assaults troopers working for the African Union peacekeeping mission.