AU calls on International community to train security personnel to curb Al-Shabaab’s use of explosive devices in Somalia

African Union Mission in Somalia has called on International community to increase training for AMISOM and Somali security personnel on counter IEDs measures.

Speaking at  the end three-day seminar organized to raise awareness of the IED situation in Somalia, AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics Nakibus Lakara said countering the ongoing threat to life and security caused by IEDs in Somalia requires increased cordon and search operations.

“ This is because some of the Troop Contributing Countries have limited capabilities that are inadequate to defeat the use of IEDs,” Lakara said.

Al-Shabaab fighters have have stepped up their IED attacks on hotels, government institutions, military bases and restaurants across the country.

Three days ago, a truck laden with explosives was detonated near the gate Somali presidential palace.

The attack  which partially destroyed SYL Hotel in which a meeting of security officials was underway, was claimed by the Islamist militant group Al Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab said the driver of the bomb which hit the SYL Hotel near the presidential palace was 44-year-old Shukri Abdulahi Diriye.

According to an Al-Shabaab radio station, he was born in Busar village in the Gedo region of southern Somalia. Al-Shabaab said he was a long-time militant whose children had also joined the group as fighters.