Extremists attack US military base and EU peacekeepers in Somalia

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Extremists attack US military base and EU peacekeepers in Somalia
By: JOHN VANDIVER | STARS AND STRIPES - 9-30-19
RE: https://www.stripes.com/extremists-a...malia-1.601091

Photo link: https://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/..._900/image.jpg
A Somali woman watch the destruction after car bomb attack on a European Union military convoy in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. A Somali police officer says a suicide car bomber has targeted a European Union military convoy carrying Italian military trainers in the Somali capital Monday. - FARAH ABDI WARSAMEH/AP

STUTTGART, Germany — A suicide car bomber and other armed militants attacked a base used by U.S. troops in Somalia Monday, a Somali security official said.

Bursts of gunfire could be heard at Baledogle base, about 60 miles northwest of the capital, Mogadishu, after a suicide car bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives at the gate of the facility, which includes a military airstrip, Somali security official Yusuf Abdourahman told The Associated Press.

The Al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying in a statement that its fighters had breached the perimeters of “the heavily fortified base” before “engaging in an intense firefight” with troops inside.

“The battle is still ongoing,” the statement said, although that claim has not been confirmed.

By early afternoon, neither side had reported any casualties.

U.S. Africa Command said it was aware of reports of an attack on the base and was “monitoring the situation.”

“We are working to confirm details on the incident and will have more information as soon as we can confirm facts on the ground,” AFRICOM said.

In a separate attack Monday, a suicide car bomber targeted Italian peacekeepers in Mogadishu, the AP reported. That attack missed the European Union peacekeepers but injured Somali civilians who were nearby, the AP said, citing reports.

The U.S. military has been making improvements to Baledogle, including expanding the airfield for broader operations. The U.S. routinely conducts airstrikes against al-Shabab fighters in Somalia, launching about 50 so far this year.

Camp Baledogle also serves as a headquarters for Somalia’s Danab (Lightning) Advanced Infantry Brigade.

Danab commando units were stood up several years ago. Originally conceived as a small battalion-sized element, the unit has recently been expanded, with current plans envisioning a 3,000-troop brigade spread out across six Somalia army sectors.