Alshabaab Militants Stage A Dawn Attack on Uganda Troops’ Camp In Somalia

MOGADISHU May 26 -Alshabaab fighters on Friday morning raided an African Union military base using explosive-laden vehicles and suicide bombers.

The militants attacked Buulo Mareer camp housing Ugandan troops on May 26 at around 5am, triggering a fierce gunbattle.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said the attackers used a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) at the camp located about 120km southwest of Mogadishu in Lower Shabelle region.

“Fighting between the terrorists and ATMIS soldiers ensued. Reinforcements from ATMIS’ Aviation Unit and allies managed to destroy weapons in possession of the withdrawing Al-Shabaab militants,” ATMIS media centre said.

They however did not indicate if there were any casualties in the dawn attack.

Uganda’s People Defence Forces spokesman Felix Kulayigye also confirmed the attack but said they were yet to be furnished with the full details.

Alshabaab however claimed via its communication channels that it had overrun the base and that it had inflicted a large number of casualties.

The 20,000-strong ATMIS force has soldiers drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. Its goal is to hand over security responsibilities to Somalia’s army and police by 2024.

The main mandate is to lead the fight against terrorism while working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States and other international partners in securing Somalia against the terror and armed groups.