Somalia: ​Al Shabaab claims killing AMISOM soldiers in roadside bomb attack

BURHAKABO, Somalia- The Al Qaida-inspired Islamic extremist group Al Shabaab has claimed killing at least three AU soldiers in a roadside bomb attack on AMISOM military convoy near Burhakabo town, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement posted on its affiliated websites, the militants said they used a remote controlled landmine to attack the AMISOM soldiers travelling in location between Burhkabo and Baidoa towns.

Speaking with GO over the phone, a local resident who declined to be named said AMISOM soldiers feared dead after Al-Shabaab has attacked a military convoy with a land mine blast in Moda-Mode area.

"Soldiers from the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) are feared dead, after their convoy was hit by a land mine bomb at Moda-mode locality on Saturday morning," said the resident.

The powerful roadside bomb has ripped through an AMISOM convoy transporting military supply which has moved from Baidoa town and heading to AU military bases in Burhakabo town in Baay region.

The ambush has led to a fierce gunfight between Kenya forces and Al Shabaab which has raged on for several hours in the area. Several Al Shabaab fighters were reportedly killed during the confrontation.

AMISOM is yet to release its own statement concerning the attack.

Despite being pushed out of key areas in South and Central Somalia, including Mogadishu, Al Shabaab is still capable of carrying out sporadic attacks in the country to depose the UN-backed Federal Government.  

GAROWEONLINE