05/10/2013 15:53
Al-Shabab militant base 'attacked' on coast of Somalia
Islamist fighters in southern Somalia say Western forces have launched a raid from the sea on a militant base, the BBC reported.
White soldiers are reported to have arrived by speedboat at the southern port town of Barawe before dawn.
Senior militants, said variously to be from Somalia's al-Shabab group or al-Qaeda, were reportedly targeted. At least one al-Shabab fighter was killed.
Al-Shabab claimed a deadly attack on a Kenyan shopping centre last month, which left at least 67 people dead.
Militants stormed the Westgate mall in the capital, Nairobi, on 21 September, in an act which caused international outrage.
Both US and French special forces have carried out raids on coastal targets in Somalia in recent years.
There was no immediate comment on Saturday's alleged attack in Barawe from the Western-backed authorities in Somalia.