Al Shabaab militants attack international base near Somali airport

Somali security forces shot dead two armed attackers who tried to burst into an army base near the international airport in the capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, state television said, Report informs, citing Reuters.

Earlier in the day, state TV had said security forces were battling a "terrorist incident" at the camp's gates with a witness saying gunmen had forced their way in and begun shooting.

State radio reported later that the two attackers had been stopped at the base gates.

"Security Forces have shot dead two armed terrorists who attempted to force their way into the army base near #Mogadishu’s Adan Abdulle International Airport on Wednesday and police will give details shortly," state TV said on its Twitter account.

Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said it was behind the attack. The Islamist militant group's Radio Andalus said in a broadcast that its fighters had attacked the Halane base and were still shooting.

The camp hosts African Union (AMISOM) peacekeeping troops, U.N. and other international organisations and is near the airport.