23 killed in Islamist attacks on Somalian military bases

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<strong>At least 23 people were killed on Saturday Islamist attacks on two military bases in Somalia.<br />
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Two suicide car bombers struck two army positions in the district of Awdhegle and Bariire village in the volatile lower Shabelle province, DPA news agency reported.<br />
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"Al-Shabaab attackers carried out a complex attack on two military bases in lower Shabelle province this morning," government spokesman Ismael Mukhtar said here.<br />
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Shortly after the bombings, the heavily-armed insurgents tried to storm the army bases.<br />
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Gunfire was exchanged until the morning, when the Somali armed forces said they had killed 19 militants in both attacks.<br />
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"We have repelled the terrorists who wanted to cause havoc on our army. We have lost 4 soldiers and scores of others were wounded," army commander Abdullahi Rage told DPA.<br />
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He said soldiers were pursuing the attackers and further information about casualty numbers would be provided later.<br />
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Residents also said civilians had been injured by stray bullets.<br />
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The Islamist group Al-Shabaab claimed the attack through its Andalus radio station, saying numerous soldiers had been killed.<br />
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Al-Shabaab has been fighting for dominance in the Horn of Africa country for years.<br />
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The terrorist group controls large parts of the south and centre and repeatedly carries out attacks on civilians and security forces.<br />
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<em>(IANS)</em></p>