Al Shabaab militants have attacked a military base in Somalia where African Union peacekeepers are stationed,

A local military commander, Mohamed Ali, says the attack occurred early this Tuesday and was targeted at a camp, housing Burundian troops of the African union mission, near Ceel Baraf village, northeast of the Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.

He says the militants launched the attack with a car bomb blast before a heavy exchange of gunfire broke out.

Meanwhile, Al Shabaab has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the assault. Reports say they have been trying to topple Somalia’s central government and establish their own rule for years now.