US Special Representative for Somalia condemns Kismayo military base attack

The Unites States Special Representative for Somalia James McAnulty has condoled with families of Somali National Army and Kenyan Defence Forces following the August 22 attack at the military camp in Kismayo which killed at least 16 soldiers.

McAnulty has also expressed his sympathies to the victims of the Mogadishu attack a day after the Kismayo explosion at the Juba Junction which claimed 6 lives.

“The United States remains united with the people of Somalia, the SNA, and the African Union Mission in Somalia forces and will continue to work closely with Somali political and security leaders to defeat al-Shabaab,” said McAnulty in a statement.

An explosives laden vehicle rammed into the SNA training camp in the southern city of Kismayu in Jubba State Saturday targeting soldiers who had just assembled for training.

A military source later told Goobjoog News the mastermind of the attack, Hassan Sankus was a military trainer. Sankus was thereafter executed.

A day after the Kismayu attack, another explosion hit a busy junction in Mogadishu’s Shangani district claiming 6 lives and injuring others. Authorities said the attackers could have been targeting people who normally play cards game in the area.