Al-Shabab claims killing 61 in attack on base in Somalia

The al-Shabab extremist group is claiming the killing of at least 61 soldiers in an attack on a military base in Somalia's semiautonomous state of Puntland.

The al-Qaida-linked group claimed responsibility for today morning attack on the base in Af Urur, near the commercial hub of Bossaso.

The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist groups, says al-Shabab issued the claim via its Shahada News Agency.

The extremist group also said it seized a large amount of weapons and ammunition and more than a dozen military vehicles.

Puntland in northern Somalia also faces a growing threat from Islamic State group-linked fighters who have split from al-Shabab.