According to the news release, the attack on the compound involved indirect and small-arms fire. There was an initial penetration of the perimeter, but Kenya Defense Forces and U.S. Africa Command repelled the al-Shabaab attack.

Kenya Defense Forces said the attempt was made at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time to breach security at Manda Air Strip and that it had successfully been stopped and the air strip was safe…

The Kenyan military base has housed U.S. military personnel for years. It is unclear how many American personnel are stationed at the base that has reportedly been a site for U.S. special operations forces operating in Somalia.

“We remain committed to preventing al-Shabaab from maintaining a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the U.S. homeland, East African and international partners,” Townsend said in the Sunday afternoon news release.