In a shocking incident at the General Gordon military base in Mogadishu, Somalia, three soldiers from the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and an officer from the Bahrain Defense Force lost their lives in a targeted attack. The assault occurred on Saturday night and has left two others injured, according to a statement from the UAE’s defense ministry.
Training Mission Turns Deadly
The victims were part of a mission involving the training of Somali Armed Forces by UAE personnel, as per an agreement between the UAE and Somalia. Tragically, the assailant, identified as a newly trained Somali soldier, opened fire on the UAE trainers and Somali military officials while they were engaged in prayer, according to an army officer cited by Reuters.
Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility
The al Qaeda-linked terrorist group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack through a statement on its Radio al Andalus. The soldier who carried out the attack is believed to have defected from al-Shabaab before being recruited by Somalia and the UAE, according to the same army official.
International Condemnation and Investigation
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud swiftly condemned the attack, instructing the country’s security agencies to conduct a thorough and urgent investigation. The UAE has expressed its commitment to cooperate with the Somali government in investigating what it has labeled a terrorist attack. The UAE reaffirms its dedication to combating terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
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Al-Shabaab: A Designated Terrorist Group
Al-Shabaab has been officially designated as a terrorist group by the United States in 2008 and by a UN Security Council committee in 2010. The organization has been a longstanding security concern in the region, and this recent attack further underscores the ongoing challenges posed by such extremist groups.
The tragic incident at the military base in Mogadishu highlights the vulnerability of training missions and the complex security situation in Somalia. As investigations unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for justice for the fallen soldiers and a concerted effort to address the menace of terrorism in the region.
