EU condemns attack on African Union military base in Somalia

GENEVA

The EU on Friday condemned the attack by al-Shabaab terrorists on a base of African Union forces in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.

"This latest attack against soldiers conducting peace support operations in Somalia only reinforces our commitment to stand with the region and to hold to account those responsible for these continuously heinous assaults against Somali citizens and those seeking to stabilize the situation in the country," Nabila Massrali, the spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and military comrades of those affected," Massrali added.

A security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said that the base in the town of Bulo Marer was targeted with heavy explosions and gunfire by al-Shabaab terrorists on Friday.

The base, located 110 kilometers (68 miles) south of the capital Mogadishu, houses the Ugandan forces serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.

Casualties from the attack are unknown.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the terror groups al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS being the main threats.

The group has been fighting against the Somali government and the African Union mission in Somalia since 2007.