NEWS- Two African Union soldiers believed to be Ugandans were yesterday killed and a third one injured by an al-Shabab mortar on their base inside the perimeters of Mogadishu’s International Airport.
The Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mohamed El-Amine Souef condemned the attack on the facility known as the Halane Base Camp.
It is reported that a 107 mm rocket was used for the attack and at least four mortar rounds were reportedly fired during the attack.
Mohamed El-Amine said that the heinous attack will not deter ATMIS and the Somali security forces from pursuing lasting peace and in Somalia and reaffirmed unwavering commitment to combat terrorism and build a peaceful and prosperous Somalia.
Although Mohamed El-Amine did not specify the nationality of the soldiers killed, an African Union official who asked not to be named told journalists that the soldiers who were killed and the one soldier injured are Ugandans.
Mohamed El-Amine together with ATMIS extended its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of those who lost their lives and wishes a quick recovery to those injured during the attack.
The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, in a statement posted on one of its websites, where the group claimed the mortars killed white and black officers.
Despite being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the al Shabaab group, manages to carry out mortar attacks that hit Mogadishu’s airport, which is a base for the African Union as well as some foreign embassies from time to time.
Al-Shabab mortars have also targeted residential areas in and around Mogadishu and have claimed the lives of many civilians.
