A suicide car bomb exploded outside a military base for Ethiopian troops in southern Somalia on Saturday, leaving an unspecified number of casualties, Reuters reports quoting police sources.
Islamist militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had killed 16 Ethiopian soldiers. The claim could however not be independently verified.
The police source said the attack occurred in the town of Bardheere, and was staged using a minibus carrying vegetables as disguise.
Al-Shabaab has waged years of war in Somalia seeking to topple the government and establish its own rule.
The war has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions others.
Local security forces have been coordinating with both regional and international forces to fight the militant group, forcing them out of major towns and cities.
The group however still manages to stage attacks in the major towns, including the capital Mogadishu.
