Suicide Bombing in Somalia Targets Ugandan Troops

KAMPALA - Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) troops bore the brunt of al-Shabaab's reckless targets within Somalia yet again, following the latest suicide bombing within the Horn of Africa nation, instigated by the militants.

According to reports, the militants targeted Sabid and Anole with the bomber managing to detonate a vehicle that struck a convoy of UPDF soldiers serving in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) within Lower Shabelle.

The militants claimed responsibility for the attack via affiliated media outlets, adding that 20 Ugandan soldiers were killed, with over 43 others injured. There was no independent information to verify the claims by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants.

The group also claimed that nine Somali soldiers were killed and eight wounded, with at least three armored vehicles destroyed in the blast. In most cases, the group amplifies propaganda to support its cause, a strategy it uses so frequently.

According to the insurgent-affiliated media, the bombing was carried out by a suicide bomber driving a vehicle laden with explosives, targeting the joint convoy. But there is no communication either from the Somali National Army or the AUSSOM concerning the alleged attack.

Last month, a similar incident targeted Ugandan troops near Sabid and Anole, killing many peacekeepers. There is a heavy presence of Uganda People's Defence Forces soldiers stationed within Lower Shabelle.

Ugandan military officials later confirmed that incident as the deadliest attack on their peacekeepers in Somalia in the past two years. Almost 3,000 Ugandan peacekeepers are serving in AUSSOM, with the number reducing following a drawdown.

GAROWE ONLINE