African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces have thwarted a late-night attack on Jubaland Security Forces (JSF) in southern Somalia, the mission said on Saturday.
In a statement, the mission said al-Shabaab fighters attempted to raid a base of Somali forces in Bilis Qooqani town on Friday.
“At about 00:30 hours, Jubaland Security Forces stationed in Bilis Qooqani were attacked by about 20 Al-Shabaab terrorists from three different directions,“ Brigadier Paul Njema, AMISOM Sector 2 Commander said. “Our Bilis Qooqani defense points immediately responded by dispatching one platoon to support our Somali counterparts.”
Weapons recovered
According to the statement, the forces managed to kill and capture several suspected al-Shabaab fighters in the process.
“Three Al-Shabaab militants were killed and several others wounded during the attack which was successfully repelled,” Brigadier Njema said.
AMISOM said its forces recovered several AK 47 rifles and rounds of ammunition from al-Shabaab elements who were neutralized during the foiled attack.
Casualties on Jubbaland forces is injuries of two soldiers whose conditions are stable.
“Two Jubaland Forces wounded in the ensuing battle are currently receiving treatment at the AMISOM Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bilis Qooqani,” the statement reads in part.
Force praised
Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Head of AMISOM, hailed AMISOM Kenyan forces for the courage, bravery and professionalism displayed in Bilis Qooqani.
He congratulated them for yet another victory against Al Shabaab, as they fulfill AMISOM mandate in Somalia.
Sector two is the southernmost AMISOM frontline sector based in the border town of Dhobley which sits across the common border between Somalia and Kenya.
The sector is manned by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who have forward operating bases in 10 other towns apart from Bilis qooqani which came under attack.
