The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Route Search Explosive Devices Team has neutralized Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that were planted along the Lower Shabelle Shalambot – Ceeljale main supply route in Somalia.
This follows the planting of the IEDs by the Al-Shabaab terrorists along the same route where some exploded hitting a civilian vehicle with five occupants.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia humanitarian convoy evacuated the casualties to Ceelwaligo for further management.
The Uganda Battle Group 37 Commander, Colonel Charles Kibaate Asiimwe, condemned the act of planting IEDs.
“The heinous and barbaric acts committed by Al-Shabaab of emplacing IEDs along roads must be condemned by peace-loving people of the world. Al-Shabaab is hellbent on seeing that Somalia does not attain total peace,” Col Kibaate said.
The neutralizing of IEDs is aimed at ensuring the safety of humanitarian relief convoys delivering essential aid to communities in need of supplies.
Planting of IEDs is a tactic employed by the Al-Shabaab to prevent travelers from using public roads.