NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 11 — Three soldiers from the United Arab Emirates and a Bahrani officer were killed Saturday after a trainee soldier opened fire at a military base in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.
UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident which also left two others injured.
Abu Dhabi said that at the time of their deaths, the fallen soldiers were engaged in the training of the Somali Armed Forces, which falls within the framework of military cooperation between the two countries.
While condoling with the families of the deceased, UAE said it is coordinating with Mogadishu to investigate the act which it labeled a terrorist incident.
“The Ministry of Defense extends its sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs, asking God Almighty to bestow His mercy on them, and also expresses its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured,” UAE MoD said.
While specific details about the incident were not provided by the UAE, reports indicate that the perpetrator was a defector from the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Somalia’s President, Hassan Mohamud Sheikh, condemned the attack, labeling it as a “heinous terrorist operation.”
He commended the courage and sacrifice of the fallen soldiers and their contribution to Somalia’s fight against terrorism and the rebuilding of its national army.
“We affirm our thanks and gratitude to the Emirati people, their government, and their wise leadership for their permanent support for the Republic of Somalia and their contribution to its stability and security,” Mohamud said.
The incident comes at a time when Somali forces and allied troops have intensified its offensive on the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist outfit that has continued to wreak havoc in the East African nation and its neighbours.
