8 Somali soldiers killed in suicide car bomb, attack at base

July 12, 2016 00:58

Eight soldiers were killed when a suicide car bomb targeted a Somalia military training camp and attackers then entered the base on foot, the military said today.

The car bomb today morning allowed the fighters to infiltrate the Lanta Buro base in Lower Shabelle region, a military officer, Said Mohamed Adawe, told The Associated Press.

"They are still in control of the base," a senior Somali military official said, insisting on speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it killed 30 soldiers.

Al-Shabab also targeted the camp last year with a similar attack, killing more than 15 soldiers.

Residents said they heard heavy gunfire and an explosion today before the extremists raised their black banner over the base.

Military officials said the attackers confiscated military vehicles and arms during the attack, which highlights the challenges facing the government and African Union forces in restoring peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

Al-Shabab, which maintains a military presence largely in rural areas, has stepped up attacks on military bases across large parts of south and central Somalia.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Russia to deliver 2 more S-400 missile system regiments to India next year

According to the original timeline, the ships were to be delivered by 2022, they said, attributing the delays in the delivery to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Will Nilesh Kumbhani join BJP? Cong says lost contact with him

Local Congress workers, led by city unit's working president Dinesh Savalia, staged a protest outside Kumbhani's locked house in Puna Gam area, calling him traitor and accusing him of giving a walkover to the BJP.

UPA govt took no military action after 26/11 because...: Jaishankar

Describing India as a voice of the 'Global South' (comprising about 125 countries), he said the countries of the Global South trust India to take up their cause and positions in the world.

X user booked over deepfake video of Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh never said this, and he does not have any relation with any political party, his father said in the complaint.

Military strength, capabilities must to prevent wars: Army chief

Addressing an event in New Delhi, Gen Pande also said the recent global developments have underscored that the security of the nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on the largesse of others.