Somalia's Shebab militants killed three soldiers from the African Union force fighting them in Somalia on Sunday, the AU said, condemning the latest in a series of attacks by the Islamists. AU envoy to Somalia Maman Sidikou condemned "the cowardly ambush" on a convoy of troops on Sunday in southern Somalia's Lower Shabelle district, between the small settlements of Lego and Balidogle.
"Our gallant soldiers put up a spirited fight, during which three of them lost their lives, while others sustained injuries," Sidikou said in a statement.
Shebab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab claimed the attack, boasting to AFP that five AU soldiers had been killed and vehicles destroyed.
He said the soldiers were from Burundi, but the AU force in Somalia, AMISOM, did not give details of their nationality. Troops from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are also in the AMISOM force.