Mogadishu (Halbeeg News) – The Ugandan military has announced that it will investigate an attack on an African union military base manned by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in Bulo Marer town of Lower Shabelle region.
Heavily armed al-Shabaab fighters on Friday morning stormed the base, prompting hours ling fighting Ugandan soldiers. Bulo Marer town lies about 120 kilometres (75 miles) southwest of the capital Mogadishu.
According to the Ugandan People Defense Force (UPDF) spokesperson Felix Kulayigye, the attack was carried out by “foreign forces” and that a comprehensive statement will be issued after getting more details from the Atmis headquarters in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack via its communication channels, claiming it had overrun the base. The group claimed to have killed 137 soldiers at the base.
Al-Shabaab has since 2006 has been fighting to topple Somali government and establish its own administration.
The 20,000-strong ATMIS force has a more offensive remit than its predecessor known as AMISOM.
The force is drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, with troops deployed in southern and central Somalia. Its goal is to hand over security responsibilities to Somalia’s army and police by 2024.
Discussion about this post