At least 4 civilians wounded as IED hits AU forces convoy in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - An Improvised Explosive Device [IED] hit an African Union Mission to Somalia convoy on Tuesday, multiple witnesses confirmed, in the latest incident targeting the foreign troops who have been in the Horn of Africa nation in as many years, and who are critical in establishing stability.

The AU troops were traveling within the Karan District of the capital Mogadishu, and they are believed to have been on normal patrols. The mission troops control most parts of the country since their deployment in 2007 to help fight violent extremism in the Horn of Africa nation.

At least four people, including a father, his wife, and daughter have wounded shooting AMISOM troops opened indiscriminate fire at innocent civilians at the scene in revenge for the attack, per witnesses. 

No group is yet to claim responsibility for the IED attack but the Al-Qaeda-linked group, the Al-shabaab are fond of waging such attacks against the military forces. The group usually targets the mission troops, the Somali National Army and other security agents besides attacking government officials and innocent civilians.

The AU forces operate on Six Sectors within the country and in most cases, Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] man most sections of Mogadishu. The troops were instrumental in the defeat of Al-Shabaab within Mogadishu during the deadly battle of 2011 that reclaimed the seaside city.

After the explosion, reports indicate, the AU forces opened fire against a group of civilians within the region wounding dozens in the process. It's not clear why they fired at civilians but such cases are common whenever the troops are under attack due to suspicions over Al-shabaab presence.

Elsewhere, gunmen killed a judge in the northern town of Las Anod within Somalia, police confirmed, adding that the armed men shot and killed Abdullahi Salad outside his house last night under unknown circumstances. In March 2020, Sool regional court chief Abdikani Guhad was gunned down in the same town.

While few of the attacks are criminal related, a number of these attacks are linked to terrorists who have been wreaking havoc in the Horn of Africa nation. Since 2008, Al-shabaab has killed thousands of people, the majority of them being security forces and innocent civilians.

GAROWE ONLINE