File photo shows an insurgent fighter of Al-Shabaab guards a street in the south of the Somali capital Mogadishu on May 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Abdurrahman Warsameh)

by Abdi and Hashi

MOGADISHU, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Al-Shabaab militants attacked and took control of a military base on the outskirts of Somalia's coastal city of Kismayu on Sunday, military officials said.

The fighters attacked the base in Buulo Guduud, some 30 kilometers north of Kismayu, at dawn and engaged the Somali troops in a fierce fighting.

A senior military officer, Ismail Sahardid, told journalists that the fierce fighting went on into daybreak, without giving number of casualties.

"At about 4:30 a.m. a suicide bomber rammed into the entrance of the military base in Buulo Guduud, then armed men penetrated camp where heavy gun battle erupted lasting for hours," said Sahardid.

Local residents also confirmed the attack, noting there was intense fighting in the military base forcing them to stay indoors.

The Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility through its media outlet, alleging that it had killed 26 soldiers in the camp.

Reports said the explosives-laden vehicle detonated at the entrance of the military base and then armed fighters engaged a fierce gunfight with Jubaland forces.

"Al-Shabaab militants seized control of Jubaland military camp but were overpowered," a witness said.

The witness said the military base is jointly operated by the Somali national army and forces from the semi-autonomous Jubaland region of southern Somalia.

The militants have recently increased their attacks against the Africa Union and Somali forces, especially in Mogadishu and southern Somalia, which have seen a surge of attacks that resulted in the loss of several strategic towns although the militants mainly held those towns briefly.

The AMISOM and Somali forces have also increased airstrikes in southern Somalia in the recent past, resulting in the killing of several militants and some defections.