Somalia: AU peacekeepers killed in Al-Shabab ambush

KAMPALA -- Two Ugandan peacekeepers were killed and an unknown number injured in a Tuesday ambush in Marka town in Lower Shabelle region, southern Somalia, a military spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, Uganda's deputy military spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that the two soldiers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) were ambushed and killed by militant group al-Shabaab, ahead of Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo" Mohamed's visit to the region.

"I can confirm there was an ambush on our troops who were on patrol in Marka and we lost two soldiers. We also have some injuries," Akiiki said.

"We are waiting for the details, names of deceased soldiers and injured from AMISOM so that we inform their next of kin and family," he added.

Uganda contributes some 6,500 soldiers to the 22,000 African Union peacekeeping force deployed to pacify the war-torn Horn of the African country.