Bomb kills soldiers in Somalia as war on Al-Shabab stepped up

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least four Somali National Army [SNA] were killed in an explosion on Sunday, reports indicate, adding to the increasing number of the security forces who have recently died in attacks related to Al-Shabaab raids across the country, and which could change Somalia's fortunes due to an impending election.

The four soldiers were killed between El-Baraf and Biyo Adde, Middle Shabelle on Sunday morning, and are said to have been escorting a senior military officer in the country, who was traveling to the region at the time of the attack. Irs not clear if the military officer was injured during the incident.

Officials said that the team was traveling from Jalalaqsi to Mogadishu when their vehicle ran over an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] leading to massive destruction. Several other soldiers in the convoy were badly wounded according to authorities in Somalia.

Senior military officers are usually allocated escort due to the fact that they are vulnerable to Al-Shabaab attacks. The militants often target them as part of a revenge mission due to the fact that they are responsible for launching attacks and other operations against the militants in the country.

The number of security forces who have died in Somalia for the last one week has increased to 22 following the death of 18 soldiers in Afgoye last week following an ambush by the Al-Shabaab, who are said to have lost ground in Basra and Bal'ad areas where the soldiers had mounted an operation.

By next year, the Somali National Army is set to control security operations in the country but the recent incidents may not guarantee them the opportunity. Currently, there are close to 23,000 foreign troops in Somalia mainly from the African Union and those from the US Africa Command.

Last month, the US Africa Command earmarked Al-Shabaab as a dangerous group that is capable of destabilizing Somalia. Last week, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo asked the US to reconsider plans to withdraw her servicemen from the Horn of Africa nation.

GAROWE ONLINE