At least 19 Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed at the weekend by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in collaboration with Somalia National Army. Al-Shabaa, according to UPDF Spokesperson, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, attacked Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at approximately 06:30 a.my.
“Al Shabaab militants launched a coordinated attack on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) located in Sabiid-Anole town, southwest of Mogadishu. These bases are jointly manned by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF),” Maj Gen Kalayigye said.
UPDF and SNA said the joint forces successfully repelled the attack, forcing the terrorists to flee while nineteen (19) Al Shabaab militants were killed in action and thirteen (13) others escaped with serious injuries. “During the operation, the joint forces recovered a cache of weapons, including one 82 mm mortar barrel, six (6) PKM machine guns, and thirteen (13) submachine guns (SMGs),” UPDF said.
FOBs that were affected were recently liberated from Al-Shabaab in June, remain under the firm control of AUSSOM and SNAF troops. A follow-up military operation is currently underway to track down the remaining militants and their accomplices.
“AUSSOM assures the residents of Sabiid-Anole and the surrounding communities of their continued safety and security. The joint forces have intensified operations in the Lower Shabelle region to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s presence and liberate all areas still under their control,” Maj Gen Kulayigye said.