Al-Shabaab militants attacked a military base of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Friday, causing massive casualties on both sides. The base, situated in Bulo Marer, 75 miles southwest of Mogadishu, was attacked by suicide bombers who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. Though the number of deaths has not yet been established, the Islamist insurgents claimed to have killed 137 soldiers and that its fighters had staged suicide bomb attacks. However, local sources reported fierce fighting and heavy casualties on both sides. The multi-national African Union force of 20,000 has been supporting pro-government militias and the army in their bid to wrest control of Somalia, but has not prevented deadly attacks by militants, who aspire to impose strict Islamic laws in Somalia. The aim of the force is to hand over responsibility for security to Somalia’s army and police by 2024.
Al-Shabaab Insurgents Raid African Union Army Base in Somalia
May 26, 2023||Comments Off on Al-Shabaab Insurgents Raid African Union Army Base in Somalia|Metro News Africa