Al Shabaab militants attack Amisom base in Somalia

Ammunition used by suspected al Shabaab assailants killed during an attack in March 2015 is displayed outside Somalia's regional government headquarters in the central city of Baidoa. (Photo:Reuters)

Al Shabaab militants battled with African Union (AU) troops in Somalia on Friday after exploding a car bomb at a peacekeepers' base south of Mogadishu at dawn, military officials and a rebel spokesman said.

The attack in Leego, some 130 km (80 miles) south of the Somali capital, came as residents gathered for morning prayers. It was the latest of several assaults since the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began a week ago.