Uganda dispatches more soldiers to Somalia after deadly al-Shabaab attack
- Written by VOA
Uganda has dispatched more soldiers to Somalia following a Friday dawn attack on its army base by al-Shabaab militants.
Ugandan soldiers deployed under the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) came under attack yesterday at about 0500hrs in the Lower Shabelle region. The extent and severity of the attack remain unknown but al-Shabaab made several posts on Telegram showing captured Ugandan soldiers and a runover base in Buulu Mareer.
In a statement released today Saturday by ministry of Defense spokesperson Brig Felix Kulaigye, the latest deployment is under the leadership of Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the commander of Land Forces.
The militants reportedly detonated four to six explosions, including improvised bombs in vehicles driven by suicide bombers, three sources, including a local official and a security commander requesting anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, told VOA Somali.
According to the sources, the militants penetrated perimeters of the base after the explosions, which were followed by a fierce firefight. The militants were also seen inside the town. The base is just outside town.
The situation of a second base manned by Somali forces not far from the AU base that al-Shabaab claims to have attacked is unclear.
Al-Shabaab sent a message via Telegram early Friday claiming they were “overrunning” the base. The Africa Union military command and the Somali government have not yet commented on the attack.
This latest attack comes as the Somali government prepares the second phase of military operations against al-Shabaab. The first phase, launched in August, drove al-Shabaab from vast territories in central Somalia.
The Somali government said it will raise enough forces to take over security responsibilities from the AU peacekeepers by Dec 2024.
Comments
Museveni sent his army to destroy those who fight him from DRCongo & the same army is sent to Somalia to ensure what kindof change, protection...for Somalians?
Somalians should know Museveni is a migrant from Rwanda who has tribally divided & made Ugandans his slaves, controls every institution, so owns Uganda & the only one to replace him is his son!
If al-Shabaab gets mad & attacks Uganda, will it be Museveni & family in danger?
Many of our children are being killed there, for nothing.
Only Museveni and his cabal are benefiting from that war. There will never be a winner in that war. Museveni should stop policing some failed States and bring our kids back home.
As you all know, of course the money doesn't go to UPDF instead it goes to facilitate M7 and his family.
Remember how they did it in Kampala when they bombed the club themselves and said it was Alshababu? M7 is also looking for what UPDF can do than being redundant and starts shooting their bosses because of their salaries.
Otherwise ask the Americans and their nasty experiences in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
After 11 years and counting, for how long will our sons and daughters be blown up in order to pacify Somalia?
If God/Allah can't save the Somali or Congolese from themselves, in his vanity, why does Gen Tibuhaburwa think he can?
Instead of trillions of our sweat and blood (tax money), our sons/daughters being blown up in Somalia and DR Congo, it is high time and immediately the UPDF left these countries so that our meager and hard earned tax money is put where our mouths is.
E.g. how can we be drowning in potholes on Kampala Roads, and at the same time be losing money and the lives of our sons/daughters, husbands, uncles, nephews, etc. in the wilderness of Somalia and jungle of DR Congo? NYET,