Al-Shabab extremists attack US military base in Somalia, officials say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Al-Shabab extremists on Monday staged an attack on a U.S. military base in Somalia, which is used to launch drone strikes.
A Somali official told The Associated Press a suicide car bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives at the gate of a military airstrip that has been used as a base for U.S. and Somali forces.
Yusuf Abdourahman, a security official with the Lower Shabelle regional administration, told the news agency that a burst of gunfire could be heard across the base after the bombing. The terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the report said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}No U.S. troops were hurt in the attack, U.S. Africa Command officials said, adding that in response, they worked with partner forces to kill 10 terrorists and destroy one of their vehicles in a string of airstrikes and shootings.
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“This attack, though ineffective, demonstrates the direct threat al-Shabab poses to Americans, our allies, and interests in the region,” Maj. Gen. William Gayler, a director of operations for U.S. Africa Command, said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S. military uses Belidogle airstrip in the Lower Shabelle region as a base to launch drones that attack al-Shabab and to train Somali troops.
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There are reports of a second attack on European Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.