Attacks on US military base in Kenya

Al-Shabab fighters have attacked a military base in Kenya's Lamu County used by US and Kenyan military personnel, the East African country's army and the armed group said.

Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) said in a statement on Sunday that "at around 5:30am an attempt was made to breach security at Manda Air Strip.

"The attempted breach was successfully repulsed. Four terrorists' bodies have so far been found. The airstrip is safe," the statement added.

The US military command for Africa, AFRICOM, confirmed there had been an attack in a brief statement.

"U.S. Africa Command acknowledges there was an attack at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya and is monitoring the situation. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the incident. As facts and details emerge, we will provide an update."

Earlier, al-Shabab said in a statement the raid resulted in "severe casualties on both American and Kenyan troops stationed there."

"The Mujahideen fighters covertly entered enemy lines, successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and have now taken effective control of a part of the base," the armed group said. _Agencies

Dhaka/AKA