Islamic extremists in Somali attack

Somalia’s al Shabab Islamic extremists launched an attack on African Union troops in the country’s south, killing four Ugandan peacekeepers, said Ugandan army spokesman Brigadier Richard Karemire.

Four others Ugandans were injured, Brig Karemire said.

At least 22 of the attackers were killed and the rest were repelled, he said.

The attack started when two suicide car bombs exploded at the entrance to the heavily fortified base in Bulo-marer, an agricultural town in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, said Somali army Colonel Ahmed Hassan.

Nearly 100 fighters firing propelled grenades and machine guns attacked the base occupied by the Ugandan soldiers. “That attack was repulsed but several soldiers have lost their lives to the bomb,” said Col Hassan.

Residents reported hearing explosions and sustained gunfire, sending hundreds of terrified villagers to the bush.