AU confirms 34 killed in southern Somalia fighting

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) confirmed on Monday that 34 people were killed during intense fighting between the AU troops and Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia on Sunday.

Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, said 30 militants were killed when the AU troops repulsed the terrorists who attacked Forward Operating Bases in Lower Shabelle region.

"Unfortunately, AMISOM lost four gallant soldiers in the fighting. Six others sustained injuries," Madeira said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

However, the militant group claimed its fighters killed 59 Ugandan troops in the attack.

"The militants were dealt a heavy blow, with at least 30 of them put out of action, following intense fighting. Eight vehicles which ferried the terrorists, including two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were destroyed and an assortment of weapons recovered," Madeira said.

The Sunday attacks were believed to be the first simultaneous assaults by the militant group on an AMISOM base this year.

(REUTERS)