AFP, MOGADISHU: Twelve Somali government soldiers have been killed in an attack by Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab militants, officials and witnesses said Saturday.
The attack occurred early Friday at a military base in the Yaq-Bariweyne area about 100 kilometres (65 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu.
“Several of the militants were also killed during the fighting,” said Mohamed Adan, a Somali military official.
Witnesses said the militants overran the camp, looted military supplies and then left.
“The Shebab fighters took control of the camp and looted everything. The commanders addressed residents of the village, they said the rule of Sharia law will be back soon,” said Abdirahman Somow, a local eyewitness.
“The Mujahedeen fighters carried out a dawn raid on the Yaq-Bariweyne military camp, nearly fifteen apostate soldiers were killed and a huge amount of military supplies have been taken,” the Shebab also said in a brief statement posted on jihadist websites.