A spokesman for Al-Shabab fighters has told Al Jazeera that the armed group  have killed "scores" of African Union troops (AMISOM) in an attack south of Somali capital, Mogadishu, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday adding that the assault  in Janaale, early on Tuesday was confirmed by residents, but an exact casualty figure was not immediately available.

According to reports, Al Shabab militants used of a car bomb, which breached the defences at an African Union Mission in Somalia  (AMISOM) base in Janaale, residents told Al Jazeera.According to al-Shabab's spokesman, heavily armed fighters then stormed the base killing about 50 soldiers, mainly from Uganda.

Al Jazeera however says there was no word from the African Union or Somalia's government on the attack.