AMISOM yet to confirm Janale casualty figures, Sidikou condoles with Uganda

The AU backed force in Somalia, AMISOM has said it is yet to confirm the casualty figures of the Janale military base following an Al-Shabaab ambush this morning.

In a statement to the media, AMISOM spokesman Lt Col Paul Njuguna also confirmed the attack saying that the militants used a car loaded with explosives to trigger the attack and to facilitate their forced entry into the camp after which they engaged Ugandan soldiers under AMISOM in a gun-battle.

Njuguna said AMISOM forces have since regained control of the base after earlier withdrawal.

“Although our troops undertook a tactical withdrawal following the initial vehicle borne explosive attack, they have since consolidated and regained full control of the base,” said Njuguna.

A Somali military official in the Lower Shabelle region told the media Tuesday morning Al-Shabaab fighters had ambushed the base killing a number of soldiers after blowing up two bridges connecting the base.

Qoryooley district commissioner, Mohamed Haji told Goobjoog News this afternoon the militants used a donkey cart loaded with explosives to blow up the bridges effectively cutting off the base.  “The militants blew up the bridge in the town using a donkey cart loaded with explosives and it is difficult to access the other side of the town,” said the commissioner.

The Special Representative of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sidikou condemned the attack as reprehensible and praised the heroism of the peacekeepers who were killed during this attack noting that they have paid a worthy price while serving the people of Somalia.

Njuguna said Sidikou had also sent his condolences to the government of Uganda for the loss lives in the attack.