The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) raided and killed at least 189 Al Shabaab militants, according to a statement released on Friday.
According to the UPDF Deputy Spokesperson Lt Col Deo Akiiki, Ugandan troops raided Al Shabaab hideouts in the thickets of Sigaale village, approximately 99.5 KM Southwest of Mogadishu City.
“The interdiction and on-spot ground target separate operations in Sigaale, Adimole, and Kayitoy villages, neighboring Janaale in Lower Shaballe region, saw the forces put out of action 189 Al-Qaeda linked fighters and destroyed a number of military hardware and items used by the terrorist,” the statement reads in part.
The targeted raids, according to the UPDF, also destroyed two vehicles mounted with weapons called “technical” and motorbikes in separate fire strikes.
“In Doncadaafeedow hideout 7KM West of Janaale, the UPDF ground-aerial targets successfully disrupted an Al Shabaab scheduled meetings and injured several,” the statement further reads.
Unlike in the past, UPDF now has attack helicopters that have augmented the UPDF firepower against Al Shabaab. UPDF also noted that they didn’t suffer any losses or injuries.
“Given the available capabilities and knowledge of terrain analysis, such as spot targeted operations will continue in efforts to degrade and defeat Al Shabaab insurgents, even in the wilderness.” said Brig Gen Don Nabasa, the commander of Ugandan troops in Somalia.
The statement adds that such intelligence-led operations have equally forced defections, where one Al Shabaab low-level commander Eden Osman reported with his sub-machine gun, five loaded magazines, and 63 rounds of ammunition to Somali National Police station in Qoroyole town, approximately 75 KM North West of Mogadishu city.