| Description |
A group of al Shabaab fighters (8-10 members) launched a well-organized attack against AMISOM base in Mogadishu known as Xalane base, which is very close to Mogadishu International Airport in the afternoon of 25/12. The attackers were reportedly wearing SNA uniforms, initiated the attack with a hand grenade attack. They managed to breach the base camp and attempted to gain access to critical infrastructure. It took AMISOM soldiers more than 18 hours to clear the compound. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack as soon as the first shots rang out and later broadcasted that they had killed 17 AMISOM soldiers, including senior AMIOSM commanders and two white mercenaries. AMISOM said that they lost five soldiers and one of their contractors in the attack. The number of al Shabaab killed in the attack were not reported upon, though it was later learned at least some were killed as AMISOM forces later publically displayed the bodies of the enemy dead as an act of discouragement for future attacks. A press release reportedly issued by the al Shabaab, claimed the operation was in revenge for the killing of the al Shabaab leader, Ahmed Aw Godane alias Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr and other Muslims killed in Somalia. |
