MOGADISHU [SMN] – AU mission in Somalia has released a statement confirming a major Al-Shabaab attack on their base in the Lower Shabelle region on Friday dawn.
Al-Shabaab said it seized control of the base and killed 137 soldiers from Uganda.
Read below the ATMIS statement.
At around 5am today, ATMIS Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Buulo Mareer, approximately 120-km southwest of Mogadishu in Lower Shabelle region was attacked by Al-Shabaab militants using Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and suicide bombers.
Fighting between the terrorists and ATMIS soldiers ensued. Reinforcements from ATMIS’ Aviation Unit and allies managed to destroy weapons in possession of the withdrawing Al-Shabaab militants.
ATMIS would like to assure the public and all other entities in the country that everything is being done to bring the situation under control.
The mission remains committed in its fight against terrorism and will continue working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States and other international partners in securing Somalia against Al-Shabaab and other armed groups.
