US military denies death of servicemen in Somalia attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US military has denied claims that her servicemen were killed in an Al-Shabaab attack at an outpost in southern Somalia, which became the latest base to be raided by Al-Shabaab militants on Monday morning, around 50-KM West on Kismayo, the regional administrative capital of Jubaland.

In a statement through proxy media outlets, the Al-Shabaab militants claimed that four US servicemen had died in the attack, adding that close to 16 Somali National Army [SNA] troops from the elite Danab forces also died in the VBIED attack that was waged by the Al-Qaeda associated group.

Further, the statement added, at least 12 SNA troops were critically injured during the raid which lasted for several hours. The militants also claimed to have destroyed army trucks and other sophisticated equipment in the base which hosts the US Africa Command and SNA troops.

But in a quick rejoinder, Col. Chris Karns, who is in charge of publicity in the US Africa Command, denied claims that the US servicemen died in the attack. Instead, he added, only one member was critically injured during the attack, saying that he's in a stable condition and was receiving treatment.

The attackers, he said, raided the outpost when the elite Danaab forces and US army were carrying out advice, assist and accompany the mission, adding that the VBIED was restrained by the forces in an attack that left at least one Al-Shabaab militant dead.

"One US serviceman was injured when Al-Shabaab attacked Janaa Abdille where the US and SNA forces were conducting advise, assist and accompany the mission. They used a vehicle employed as an improvised device and mortar fire," he said in a statement.

"The service member is in a stable condition. It was also assessed that at least one Al-Shabaab member was killed during the attack. Al-Shabaab remains a dangerous enemy," the officer noted, adding that the US military will continue helping Somalia to degrade the militants.

The attack come at the time the SNA, US Africa Command, and the Africa Union Mission troops are conducting joint operations against the militants. So far, the operations have led to the liberation of several strategic towns, killing and arrest of top Al-Shabaab commanders in the Horn of Africa nation.

A statement issued by Ismael Mukhtaar, the spokesman of Somalia's Ministry of Information, said that two SNA officers died during the operation. In addition, he noted, three Danaab forces were critically injured during the attack, which was the second major successful raid against the US Army and allies in Somalia soil.

Last year, the Al-Shabaab's attempt at Balligodle army base flopped after the SNA troops killed at least 11 attackers. Early this year, the militants waged a successful attack against the US military at Manda Airfield in Kenya, in an attack that left at least three US nationals dead.

An eyewitness said that the troops fired on the VBIED speeding towards the outpost in an attempt to destroy it before it reaches them. The attack, insiders said, would have been the worst against SNA and the US army in as many years.

US and Somali forces seized Jana Abdalla, a revenue hub for Al-Shabaab which uses it to collect extortion from commercial goods within Somalia and vehicles traveling to Kenya. Officials say they expect further attacks from the militant group as troops consolidate positions.

GAROWE ONLINE