The Islamist group of Al Shabaab carried out an attack on military base near Baidoa town, some 250km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.
In a statement aired by Radio Andulus, an Al Shabaab mouthpiece, said that the group’s fighters launched an attack on military base in Daynunay area, some 18km away from Baidoa town.
The group says its fighters had seized the military camp, killing at least 5 government soldiers during hours of fighting.
“We have captured military base in Daynunay area. Our fighters killed 5 soldiers during the clash”, the group said.
Meanwhile, Somali military denied claims by Al Shabaab, saying its forces had repulsed the attack.
Major Hussein Mohamed, military commander said that 9 Al Shabaab militants had been killed in the fighting.
He confirmed four soldiers had lost their lives during fighting against Al Shabaab.
The Al-Shabab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than 10 years.
A 22,000-strong African Union force is in the country to help the government in fighting against the al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The group has been driven out of many urban areas since 2011, however, it still controls territory in rural areas and carries out gun attacks and bombings on military and civilian targets.
