Breaking: Several Ugandan soldiers feared dead in Al-Shabaab attack on AMISOM base in Bulamarer

[Deeq A.]

Several soldiers of AMISOM are feared to have been killed on Sunday after heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants stormed AU military base manned by Ugandan soldiers in Bulamarer town.

The attack in Bullamarer town which located 125km south of Somalia was confirmed by official and witnesses.

The assault was started with two car bombs which breached the defence at the Forward Operating Front Base (FOB) in Bulamarer town of Lower Shabelle region followed by heavy fighting.

Witnesses who spoke to the media said the militants entered the town after forcing their way through the checkpoints of the town.

The deputy governor of Lower Shabelle region, Ali Nur Mohamed who confirmed the attack said the militants were defeated by AMISOM troops.

Mohamed also confirmed casualties on both sides but said the exact figure was not immediately available.

The militants claimed to have killed 59 Ugandan soldiers and destroyed several armoured vehicles in the attack.

“At least 59 soldiers of Ugandan were killed in a well-executed attack by the mujahideen fighters, full information of the attack will be raised later,” said the militants in a statement posted on Pro-Alshabab media.

AMISOM has not yet commented on the attack on its soldiers.

The attack would be the third assault on Uganda’s military bases in Lower Shabelle region since the East African nation sent its troop to Somalia in 2007.