Al-Shabab claims dozens killed in attack on troops

The attack in Janaale, in the country's Lower Shabelle province, early on Tuesday was confirmed by residents, but an exact casualty figure was not immediately available.

Residents confirmed that the assault involved the use of a car bomb, which breached the defences at an African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base in Janaale.

Heavily armed fighters then stormed the based.

AMISOM released a statement on Tuesday condemning the attack on its base by al-Shabab.

"The AMISOM base at Janaale in Somalia came under attack from al-Shabab militants today. They used a car loaded with explosives to trigger the attack and to facilitate their forced entry into the camp after which they engaged our soldiers in a gun-battle," the statement said.

AMISOM also disputed the suggestion the area was under the control of the fighters, and dismissed reports weapons had been looted from the base.

Al-Shabab aims to overthrow Somalia's central government and establish a state based on its own radicalised interpretation of Islamic law.