ATMIS, Somali Army Kill Fleeing Al-Shabaab Terrorists, Recover Weapons Stolen from UPDF Base

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Somali National Army (SNA) troops have successfully pursued the fleeing Al-Shabaab terrorists involved in the Forward Operating Base (FOB) attack in Buulo Mareer.

“A substantial number of the terrorists have been eliminated,” ATMIS said on Tuesday.

It noted that the joint force has also retrieved multiple weapons looted from the FOB.

“ATMIS remains committed to fighting terrorism and will continue working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, and international partners to secure Somalia.”

On the same day, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Force Commander, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, and Somali National Army (SNA) Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, agreed to enact a curfew on the highway (main supply route) from Afgoye to Barawe in lower Shabelle region.

The curfew agreement was proposed on 29th May 2023 at Goloweyn Forward Operating Base (FOB) where the two Generals met commanders and troops serving under ATMIS in sector one.

The Generals agreed that by stopping vehicles movement at night will deny Al-Shabaab use of Vehicle Borne Improvised Devices as a weapon of choice to carry out complex attacks.

The order shall take immediate effect after a harmonisation meeting between Force commanders with local leaders of Marka and Kuutnuwarey districts.

Lt Gen Muhanga is in Somalia to investigate an attack on the UPDF troops that happened on Friday last week by Al-Shabaab terrorists.

Over the weekend, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against the Al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked the UPDF base.