AU forces in Somalia shoot innocent civilians dead in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A contingent of African Union soldiers in Somalia shot dead at least seven civilians in Mogadishu, reports indicate, in the latest wave of violence meted on innocent people in the Horn of Africa nation which has been struggling with stability for over three decades now.

According to officials, the troops opened fire deliberately on the civilians at Heliwa District within Banadir in what was seen as retaliation after their convoy was blown by a landline earlier within the capital Mogadishu, an incident which left one soldier dead and others critically injured.

The AMISOM soldier died on the spot leading to an unprecedented operation within the capital which led to the death of civilians. The AU Mission in Somalia is yet to respond to the latest allegations but it's not the first time civilians are being targeted in the attacks.

"We saw the soldiers descend on people and at least seven people were killed. It's one of those incidents that the people of Somalia did not envision, killing people without mistakes," an eyewitness told Garowe Online, adding that the soldiers shot dead the civilians deliberately.

There have been reports of foreign troops killing civilians mistakenly for Al-Shabaab militants. For instance, the US Africa Command admitted killed civilians recently in parts of Somalia during a crackdown against the Al-Shabaab militants in the country, in an operation which has been going on for months.

Witnesses said that the explosion which targeted the solders was planted between Mogadishu’s Sayid junction and Dabka junction. A witness said he saw two wounded people being evacuated from the scene, but the soldier died immediately on spot.

As of now, the AMISOM team has close to 22,000 soldiers in Somalia and they are set to leave next year under the Somali Transition Plan [STP]. Some of the force contributing nations are Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Djibouti, with Ethiopia having the highest number of soldiers.

The troops are stationed in different parts of the country with UPDF controlling parts of the capital. Since going to Somalia, besides suffering huge setbacks especially in Lower and Middle Juba, the AMISOM troops have managed to liberate several strategic towns in the war-torn nation.

Also, they have embarked on different social-economic programs in Somalia with the aim of helping transform the country. For instance, the Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] team recently handed over classrooms in Lower Jubba where they have been manning for over six years now.

"Education is key for a prosperous nation. It is for this reason that the KDF troops serving under @amisomsomalia constructed classrooms and desks for Hoosingo Primary School to give the children an opportunity to acquire knowledge, the key to the long term stability of Somalia," KDF tweeted.

GAROWE ONLINE