Somalia: a military base of the African Union force claimed by the Islamist Shebabs

2023-05-26T13:50:26.530Z

Highlights: Somalia is one of the most violent countries in the world. The country has been rocked by a series of natural disasters in recent years. It has also been hit by a number of terrorist attacks, including the 9/11 terror attacks. The attacks were in response to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which began in 2003. The U.N. says it is working on a plan to stop the flow of refugees into the country. It is also working on plans to reduce the number of people living in the country, which has a high rate of poverty.

The radical Islamists Shebabs have claimed responsibility for an attack carried out this Friday, May 26 against a base of Ugandan soldiers of the African Union force in Somalia (Atmis), announced the Atmis and the...

Somalia: a military base of the African Union force claimed by the Islamist Shebabs

The radical Islamist Shebabs claimed responsibility for an attack on Friday (May 26th) against a base of Ugandan soldiers of the African Union force in Somalia (Atmis), Atmis and the Ugandan army spokesman announced, without communicating on possible casualties.

The location of Bulo Marer, Somalia. © FMM

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

With our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice

It was Bulo Marer who was hit. The Atmis force base, located 120 kilometres south of Mogadishu along the coast, houses a contingent of the Ugandan army. The attack took place "in the early morning", according to the Ugandan army spokesman.

At first, a suicide bomber allegedly burst into a vehicle loaded with "explosives" before fighting broke out with "automatic weapons", a Somali army commander told France Press. Local media also reported that explosions were heard shortly after the assault began.

>> READ ALSO: Somalia: the offensive against the Shebabs intensifies despite the attacks

For the moment, neither Atomis nor the Ugandan army spokesman have given details of the damage and possible casualties. "The forces are currently assessing the security situation," reads the latest tweet from the African Union force.

Attacks on force bases are regular and often interpreted as a message to hasten the departure of the force from Somalia. Atmis' current mandate provides for its gradual withdrawal by the end of 2024.

The offensive launched last summer by the new president has allowed Mogadishu to recapture large territories in the centre of the country in the states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug. Since then, al-Shabaab has continued to carry out deadly attacks.

Somalia: a military base of the African Union force claimed by the Islamist Shebabs

Somalia: a military base of the African Union force claimed by the Islamist Shebabs

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest