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Africa Horn |
Two AU peacekeepers killed in Somalia attack |
2024-11-05 |
[ShabelleMedia] Two African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... soldiers were killed and a third one injured by an al-Shabaab ![]() mortar attack Sunday on their base inside the perimeters of Mogadishu’s international airport. A statement by the head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mohammed El-Amine Souef condemned the attack on the facility known as the Halane Base Camp. It’s believed that a 107mm rocket was used for the attack. At least four mortar rounds were reportedly fired during the attack. "The heinous attack will not deter us and the Somali security forces from pursuing lasting peace and in Somalia," Souef said in the statement posted on X, formerly Twitter. "We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to combat terrorism and build a peaceful and prosperous Somalia." The statement did not specify the nationality of the soldiers killed, but an AU official told VOA’s Horn of Africa that the soldiers who were killed and the one soldier injured are Ugandans. "ATMIS extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of those who bit the dust and wishes a quick recovery to those injured during the attack," Souef said. The AU big shotship team later visited the site of the blasts. The al-Shabaab turban group grabbed credit for the attack. In a statement posted on one of its websites, the group claimed the mortars killed "white and black officers." Despite being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the group, from time to time, manages to carry out mortar attacks that hit Mogadishu’s airport, which is a base for the AU as well as some foreign embassies. Al-Shabaab mortars have also targeted residential areas in Mogadishu and have claimed the lives of civilians. Related: ATMIS: 2024-11-03 Somali army targets Al-Shabaab meeting - officials ATMIS: 2024-10-20 Egypt Confirms Plans to Deploy Troops in Somalia ATMIS: 2024-10-16 Al-Shabaab taking advantage of Somalia-Ethiopia conflict, says US Related: Halane Base Camp: 2024-07-04 Ilhan Omar hit with ethics complaint over appearance with ex-Somali PM Halane Base Camp: 2022-04-26 After Al-Shabaab attacks, ATMIS imposes lockdown at Halane Base Camp Halane Base Camp: 2021-03-11 Madobe meets with UN envoy hours after Al-Shabaab mortar attack on Halane |
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