Somali security forces shot dead two assailants who attempted to infiltrate a Military camp near the international airport in Mogadishu on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, security forces had battled a “terrorist incident” at the camp’s gates with sources saying gunmen had forced their way in and begun shooting.
Reports indicate that the two attackers had been stopped at the gate of the Military camp.
“Security Forces have shot dead two armed terrorists who attempted to force their way into the army base near #Mogadishu’s Adan Abdulle International Airport on Wednesday and police will give details shortly,” state TV said on its Twitter account.
Al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a broadcast, the terrorist group’s Radio Andalus reported its men had attacked the Halane base and were still firing.
The camp, which is near the airport, houses African Union peacekeeping forces, as well as UN and other international organisations.
Flight traffic had been delayed due to shooting near the airport, according to a travel agent.
Al Shabaab wants to destabilise the country’s central authority and impose its own strict interpretation of Islamic law.