Al-Shabaab militants attacked the main base of the African Union peacekeeping force known as AMISOM in Mogadishu on Thursday, with explosion and gunfire heard inside the base.

According to an eye witness account.

    “Explosion and gunfire were heard inside the AMISOM base, as fighters attacked the place,”.

Al-Shabaab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab confirmed the attack, saying its fighters have entered the base by force and are carrying out attacks.

    “The fighters have entered Halane base and there is fighting which is still going on,” he said.

UN special representative in the country Nicholas Kay has condemned the attack.

    “I condemn attack on Mogadishu airport base. Terrorists will not stop Somalia rising,” he said.