ADDIS ABABA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, on Wednesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the base of the Burundian forces of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers, the governments and peoples of Burundi and Somalia following the attack on Tuesday as he wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"IGAD is confident that these attacks will neither deter nor alter the determination of IGAD and international partners to support the people of Somalia in their search for a lasting peace and stability," an IGAD statement quoted Gebeyehu as saying.

Burundi said Wednesday that 10 of its peacekeepers were killed and five others missing in an attack early Tuesday by al-Shabab on a post of Burundian soldiers at Ceel Baraf, Shabelle region, Somalia.

Twenty-five Burundian soldiers were also injured in the attack, Army spokesman Col. Floribert Biyereke said in the statement.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. The insurgent group, which has tied with al-Qaida terrorists, has carried out many deadly attacks targeting AU camps across Somalia.

Condemning the terrorist attack, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, had emphasized that such incidents would not deter the AU's peacekeeping mission in the troubled Horn of Africa nation.

"The chairperson reiterates that this heinous attack will not lessen the determination of ATMIS forces and reaffirms the continued and unwavering commitment of the AU to support the Somali Government and people in their pursuit to achieve sustainable peace and security," an AU statement issued late Tuesday read.

The AU further called on the international community to increase support to the Somali security services and the ATMIS mission commensurate with the security challenges at hand. Enditem

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