African Union Mission Confirms Al-Shabaab Attack on Base in Somalia

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) confirmed Thursday an al-Shabaab Islamist group's attack on the organization's base located in the central part of the country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, reports emerged that al-Shabaab militants had attacked the Ethiopian-run AMISOM military base in Somali town of Halgan, killing at least 43 servicemen. 

We can confirm there was an attempted Al Shabaab attack on the AMISOM/SNA base in #Halgan Somalia. The enemy was successfully repulsed.

— AMISOM (@amisomsomalia) 9 June 2016

Somalia has been mired in an armed conflict with Islamist militants for two decades. The country's government relies heavily on the African Union’s peacekeepers for protection.