UPDF goes for commanders over negligence in Al-Shabaab attack in Somalia
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 05-06-2023, 11:13AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Two soldiers attached to Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] will face a court martial over negligence following an Al-Shabaab attack in Bulo Marer Forward Operating Base, President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed, adding that the attack could have been averted.
According to President Museveni, the two senior commanders asked the UPDF soldiers to retreat when Al-Shabaab was taking positions, leading to imminent defeat at the hands of the enemy. The attack left 54 soldiers dead, President Museveni added in a statement.
"The mistake was made by two commanders, Maj. Oluka and Maj. Obbo, who ordered the soldiers to retreat. They have been apprehended and will face charges in the Court Martial."
"They have been arrested and will face charges in the military court. Our soldiers showed remarkable resilience, regrouped, and recaptured the base," President Museveni announced via a statement on Twitter.
"Our soldiers demonstrated remarkable resilience and reorganized themselves, resulting in the recapture of the base."
President Yoweri Museveni had initially accused UPDF commanders of "dispatching cooks and relatives" to Somalia to face Al-Shabaab, adding that there was enough machinery to help the soldiers confront the militants. Al-Shabaab claims it killed over 137 soldiers in the country.
Al-Shabaab militants suffered blows a day after the attack after the US Africa Command waged an airstrike in the vicinity of Bulo Marer, killing a number of fighters. The US has insisted that it will support the country to effectively flush out the militants who have been wreaking havoc in the country.
The Somali National Army and foreign troops are set to commence the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, which will mainly target Jubaland and Southwest states. The militants have lost huge swathes in recent operations, with the government intending to introduce civilian administration in the liberated areas.
GAROWE ONLINE
