AL SHABAAB MILITANTS KILL 12 UPDF FIGHTERS IN SOMALIA

By www.mknewslink.com reporters

Al Shabaab militants in Somalia yesterday killed 12 UPDF soldiers in an ambush on African Union troops in the country’s south.

The insurgents claimed having killed 39 African Union troops in an ambush in the country’s south.

In today statement by Brig Richard Karemire , the UPDF spokesman confirmed that a  joint SNA/AMISOM UPDF patrol under 7th Battalion of Battle group twenty two was ambushed by Alshabaab terrorists.

“From the battlefield, it is now confirmed that UPDF lost 12 gallant soldiers with 07 sustaining injuries. The dead and those injured have been evacuated to Mogadishu Level II Hospital for further management and treatment,” Brig Richard Karemire said in the statement.

He adds: “The UPDF office of Chief of Personnel and Administration is contacting the next of kin of the deceased and injured to inform them of the developments while arrangements are being made to transport deceased comrades to their homes of origin for descent burial.”

Brig Karemire says a board of inquiry is being constituted to establish circumstances leading to this fateful incident. The same board of inquiry will help in expediting the compensation process by the African Union in respect of the deceased who gave their lives in defense of mother Africa.

The attack took place at Gorowen between Bulumaler and Beladamini in Lower Shabelle region about 140Kms South West of Mogadishu.

Somalian security personnel help to carry a injured man towards an ambulance in Mogadishu on Sunday, after a car bomb explosion in the Somalian capital. AFP photo

An earlier statement indicated that the troops equivalent of a company minus were conducting a regular patrol to secure the Mogadishu Barawe Main Supply Route (MSR) which still harbours pockets of Alshabaab insurgents.

“A lot of damage was inflicted on the enemy while our troops took fatalities whose number is yet to be ascertained and will be made known as the situation evolves,” Brig . Karemire’s said in the statement.  “ We salute the gallant officers and men who have made sacrifices to ensure that peace is restored in Somalia. Such incidents that require at times our soldiers to pay the ultimate price will not deter our resolve to accomplish the mission.”

The African Union has a 22,000 strong force in the country dedicated to fighting A Shabaab and backing up the internationally backed government in the capital Mogadishu.

Residents said the AU troops were ambushed in the village of Golweyn some 120 kilometres (74 miles) as they escorted supplies along the road that connects Mogadishu to Lower Shebelle.

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