• A statement by Amisom on May 26 said at least 20 terrorists attacked a Jubaland Security Forces’ base on the morning of Monday, May 25.
• The terrorists attacked the base using rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles but were repulsed by the Jubaland forces with reinforcement of Amisom forces
Somalia’s terror group Al Shabaab has attacked Somalia Security Forces for the second time in two weeks.
A statement by Amisom on May 26 said at least 20 terrorists attacked a Jubaland Security Forces’ base on Monday morning, May 25.
“Jubaland Security Forces beat back Al Shabaab militants who attacked their base and training centre in Dhobley. Al Shabaab lost several men and a range of weapons were left behind as they hastily retreated in defeat,” Amisom said in the statement.
The terrorists attacked the base using rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles but were repulsed by the Jubaland forces with reinforcement of Amisom forces, the statement said.
“We dispatched our Quick Reaction Forces to support Jubaland forces who had come under attack from the terrorists. They were no match, quickly they pulled back and fled, but not before our forces had inflicted serious damage on them.”
“Al Shabaab suffered significant losses with several of their fighters dead and injured. Only one Jubaland soldier sustained light injuries. He was treated at the Amisom Level II Hospital in Dhobley and has since been discharged,” Brigadier Paul Njema, the Amisom Sector 2 Commander, said.
On May 16, KDF soldiers under Amison foiled an attack by the militants on Jubaland forces, killing five.
The 20 Al Shabaab terrorists attacked the soldiers in Bilis Qooqani from three directions.
“A KDF unit also stationed in the area responded by dispatching a special platoon of soldiers to support the Somali Security Forces,” a statement by the Ministry of Defence said on May 17.
KDF recovered five AK-47 firearms and several rounds of ammunition.
Amisom sector 2 is based in the southern border town of Dhobley in Jubaland State of Somalia and is manned by Kenya Defence Forces. Under the Somalia Transition Plan (STP), Amisom and the Somali Security Forces conduct joint operations as part of the efforts to disrupt and degrade Al Shabaab.
Amisom says it has registered significant security gains with the help of Somali Security Forces, dislodging Al Shabaab from the bridge town of Janaale in Lower Shabelle.
“The recovery of Janaale was a serious blow to Al Shabaab, as the town was a strategic stronghold for the group’s operations in Lower Shabelle and Mogadishu. Janaale was also a hub for manufacturing VBIEDs and IEDs,” the statement noted.
