Somalia: Al-Shabab militant base attacked

Islamist fighters in southern Somalia say Western forces have launched a night-time raid on one of their bases.

The militant group al-Shabab told the BBC "white soldiers" had arrived by boat at the port of Barawe and rebels had repulsed them, losing a fighter.

No-one has admitted the attack. US and French special forces have carried out raids in Somalia in recent years.

Abdirahman Koronto from the BBC's Africa Service said al-Shabab leaders were known to frequent the city of Barawe.