Al Shabaab attacks an Africa Union base in Somalia

Al Shabaab insurgents in file picture. The group attacked a peace group in Somalia.  [File, Standard]

Islamist insurgents battled for hours on Sunday with African Union troops after exploding two car bombs outside one of their bases, Somali police, military and the militants said.

Al Shabaab militants attacked an African Union (AU) peacekeeper base in the town of Bulamarer, 130 kilometres southwest of the capital Mogadishu, around 9 a.m. local time, residents from the area told Reuters.