The US military has destroyed weapons and equipment stolen by al-Shabaab jihadists in Somalia during an airstrike near an African Union force base, authorities said Saturday.

Ugandan forces are based at the Bulo Marer base, 120 kilometers southwest of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The outpost was attacked by members of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebaab jihadist group on Friday.

In a press release, the US Joint Africa Command (AFRICOM) said it had “destroyed weapons and equipment illegally obtained” by the jihadists, without specifying when or from where.

“Africa Command conducted an airstrike in the area” of Bulo Marer on Friday to “support” the African Union force (ATMIS), according to the text.

Al-Shabaab fighters stormed the base after setting off a car bomb and blowing up suicide bombers in a fierce exchange of fire yesterday, residents and a Somali army officer told AFP.

No casualties have been reported by the Somali authorities, the US military, ATMIS, or Uganda.

According to the US military’s Africa Command, “the initial assessment is that no civilians were killed or injured” in the bombing.

Government and pro-government forces, backed by ATMIS, launched a large-scale operation against Shebab last August. They also have air support from the US.

The Shebab (“Youth”) has been fighting the internationally-backed federal government of Somalia for over fifteen years to overthrow it and impose its own extreme version of Islamic law on the country.

Although its fighters were driven from major urban centers, including the capital, in 2011-2012, Shebab continues to hold parts of vast swaths of the provinces, from where it launches deadly attacks on security forces and civilians.