At least seven African Union soldiers from Uganda were killed in a three-day joint operation to drive Al Shabab out of Sabiid-Anole area near Afgoye town in Lower Shabelle region.
Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye confirmed the loss, describing it as a “painful but heroic sacrifice in the line of duty.”
Kulayigye said the soldiers were part of an operation dubbed “Operation Silent Storm” to recapture areas under Al Shabab control in the region.
He said the allied forces killed 30 militants, seized weapons caches, and dismantled several explosive devices during the operation.
The fallen soldiers were serving under African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, praised the efforts of the joint forces:
“This operation is part of our continued effort to degrade Al-Shabaab”, he said.
The bodies of the seven soldiers are expected to be flown back to Uganda for burial with full military honors.
Uganda has played a frontline role in stabilizing Somalia since 2007 and lost hundreds of soldiers to al Shabab attacks.
Since March, Al Shabab has escalated attacks in efforts to reclaim cities it previously lost in Middle, Lower Shabelle and Hiran regions.
Driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, the group continues to carry out deadly attacks in south and central Somalia.
