KAMPALA, Uganda – A minimum of seven Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troopers had been killed throughout a fierce three-day joint operation to recapture Sabiid-Anole city from Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia’s Decrease Shabelle area, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Brigadier Normal Felix Kulayigye, the Defence and UPDF Spokesperson, confirmed the casualties in a Sunday briefing to the press, describing the loss as a “painful however heroic sacrifice within the line of responsibility.”
The troopers had been a part of a coordinated offensive involving the Somali Nationwide Military (SNA) and African Union Help and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) troops.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Silent Storm,” led to the elimination of 30 Al-Shabaab fighters, the restoration of weapons caches, and the dismantling of quite a few Improvised Explosive Units (IEDs).
The fallen troopers had been killed throughout intense close-quarter fight because the joint forces stormed militant hideouts and cleared underground tunnel networks the place the insurgents had taken refuge.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the AUSSOM Pressure Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, praised the efforts of the joint forces: “I commend the bravery of our gallant AUSSOM-UPDF troops and the Somali Nationwide Military. This operation is a part of our continued effort to degrade Al-Shabaab and totally implement the Somali Transition Plan, which is able to ultimately see safety obligations handed over to Somali forces.”
Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, described Sabiid-Anole as a serious logistical and planning hub for Al-Shabaab.
“Since March, this city had turn out to be a strategic location for the terrorists to plan assaults, cover weapons and automobiles for VBIEDs, and erect unlawful checkpoints to extort civilians,” he stated.
Army sources confirmed that after the city was secured, AUSSOM and SNA models started consolidating management and are actually engaged in follow-up operations to get rid of remaining pockets of Al-Shabaab fighters within the wider Afgooye District.
The stays of the seven fallen troopers are anticipated to be repatriated to Uganda for burial with full army honors.
Uganda has performed a frontline position in stabilizing Somalia since 2007 beneath the African Union framework. Al-Shabaab, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, continues to hold out assaults regardless of sustained offensives.
In 2022, AMISOM transitioned to AUSSOM, focusing extra on supporting Somalia’s safety transition and decreasing the presence of international troops over time.
Supply: chimpreports.
