MOGADISHU (SD) – Hundreds of heavily armed Al Shabaab militants have this morning attacked two Somali military bases in southwest of Somali capital, Mogadishu amid Somali government intensified operations against the terror group.

The militant group used Vehicle Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) to breach the defensive walls of the military bases in Barire and Awdhegle towns before their fighters raided the bases from different directions, prompting fierce fighting.

A military official confirmed the attack saying the government dispatch reinforcement to support the bases under al-Shabaab attacks.

“We are on the way as reinforcement,” Ahmed Abdullahi told Reuters by phone, adding that the attacks occurred at the Bariire and Awdhigle bases.

Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed the responsibility for the attacks on the bases.

“We overran Bariire base, burnt three military vehicles and took two vehicles,” Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s for military operations, told Reuters, referring to a brief occupation of Bariire.