Mogadishu, June 29 (IANS): Islamist extremist group Al Shabaab fighters raided a military base in the southern Somali state of Jubaland but were repulsed after fierce fighting, a senior military official confirmed on Monday.
The heavy fighting took place on Sunday night near the military base in Kismayo, the capital city of Jubaland, but denied there were casualties on their side, Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
"The heavy exchange of fire broke out after Al Shabaab attempted to capture the base, but our forces managed to push them back," the official said, adding that it caused casualties among the extremists.
In the latest series of attacks, Al Shabaab on Friday stormed an African Union (AU) peacekeepers' base in southern Somalia's Leego town, claiming to have killed "more than 50 soldiers".