Al-Shabab militants take over AU Military base in Somalia

Fighters from the al-Shabab militant Islamist group have taken over an AU military base in southern Somalia, inflicting heavy casualties. 

The militants said they have killed 70 AU soldiers at the Janale base, 90 kilometres south-east of the capital, Mogadishu but 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 the 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. 

The militants also damaged a nearby bridge with a massive bomb to prevent troops from escaping.

BBC