Somalia: 2 AU troops die during suicide bomb raid

A military official says two African Union soldiers were killed after troops shot two suicide bombers in Mogadishu, who then detonated their explosives.Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the spokesman for the African Union military operation in Somalia, said two suicide bombers disguised as Somali soldiers entered an African Union base on Monday.AU soldiers shot and killed them, but two AU troops also were killed during the incident. The attack came at a base on the east side of Mogadishu's largest market, Bakara, an area that AU troops seized during offensive action last week.The African Union troops and Somali government control a little more than 60 percent of Mogadishu. Al-Qaida-linked militants control the rest.  AP

(TF.SF) Mogadishu-Two suicide bombers dressed in Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) uniform were killed today before they were able to detonate their suicide vests. They had attempted to infiltrate behind the frontline held by AMISOM in Mogadishu.The incident happened behind the frontline, in Wardhigley district, near Florenza Junction. In an exchange of gunfire with the suicide bombers two AMISOM soldiers were wounded but died later of their injuries. The incident happened at approximately 4pm today.Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, AMISOM Force spokesperson said;“In the midst of a famine seizing Somalia the extremists are choosing to focus on killing, not saving life.“The extremists are using desperate measures to achieve their ends through their willingness to use brutal violence during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Make no mistake, we will not allow this sort of terrorism to succeed.“AMISOM Forces are in the middle of conducting security operations in the capital to increase the areas of the capital under government control and safeguard Somalis.”Each year, during the month of Ramadan, the extremists have attacked civilians and AMISOM troops using suicide bombers.

ENDS
-- Paddy Ankunda
Lt Colonel
AMISOM Force Spokesman
Tel: Somalia: (+252) 699 758567
(+252) 615 800500
(+252) 62380889
Tel: East Africa: (+256) 772696070
(+256) 713914411
Email: amisomforcehq@gmail.com
paddyankunda@yahoo.com