Somalia: AU refutes al-Shabaab claims on AMISOM casualties

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union peacekeeping mission has refuted allegations that some of its troops were killed by al-Shabab militants in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) clarified that its troops in patrol successfully repulsed an attack launched by the militant group at Gandawi.

"There were no casualties nor injuries incurred as claimed by the reports. The allegations are a fabrication and part of Al-Shabaab propaganda," the AU mission said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

"AMISOM refutes allegations that its troops suffered an attack in Shalambod in the Lower Shabelle region," it added.

The AU mission, which has stepped up onslaught against insurgents said al-Shabab propaganda would not deter it from executing its mandate, and working jointly with the Somali security forces to secure the country and protect peace loving Somalis.

The pan African peacekeeping mission called on Somalis to ignore those baseless claims. The statement came after the militant group had claimed to have killed two AU soldiers in a roadside blast in Lower Shabelle region.