Attack on Somalia base kills at least 30

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 26 (UPI) -- At least 30 people were killed Friday in a morning attack, blamed on the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, on an African Union military base in Somalia.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) confirmed its base in Leego, on the road in southern Somalia between the city of Baidoa and the capital of Mogadishu, was struck in a dawn raid. The base is maintained by soldiers from Burundi, part of a unified effort by the 54-nation bloc to bring stability to Somalia. Burundi currently has over 20,000 troops in Somalia.

The ANISOM message only confirmed mentioned the attack, without referring to casualties or its outcome. Al-Shabab, which is fighting to control the country and its government, said in a statement it had taken control of the base.

Witnesses said the attackers used a suicide bomb in the lead car as its convoy approached the base entrance, then fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Al-Shabab has previously announced it would step up attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began this week. The United Arab Emirates ambassador to Somalia survived a suicide attack on his convoy near Mogadishu Wednesday.