By Abdalle Ahmed
Despite they were driven away from the capital, Mogadishu and many of the urban areas, Al Shabab still has a strong presence in many of the rural areas of the southern and central parts of the country.
MOGADISHU (RBC) Somalia’s militant group, Al Shabab said they believe that the death toll of the African Union Forces in Somalia [AMISOM] is bigger than 3,000 soldiers since 2007, the group’s spokesman said on Tuesday.
Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Muscab, Al Shabab spokesman said they have killed more than 3,000 soldiers of AMISOM since 2007 when the first African-led peacekeeping mission started in Mogadishu.
“They are not telling the truth.” Abu Muscab said while responding to recent comments by senior U.N. official who disclosed that 3,000 AMISOM forces have been killed since their 7 year deployment in Somalia.
While paying to tribute, the UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, told reporters on Thursday that “up to 3,000 AMISOM soldiers have been killed”, while fighting Al Shabaab in Somalia.
“We have killed high number even in the ambush wars, but they have kept it secret.” Al Shabab spokesman added.
The militant’s spokesman did not claim any specific number.
Four African countries have contributed troops in the African Union mission to Somalia [AMISOM] the majority of those troops are from Uganda, Burundi and Kenya who joined in 2011. Ethiopia has also deployed its troops in Somalia but not under the flag of AMISOM.
Despite they were driven away from the capital, Mogadishu and many of the urban areas, Al Shabab which is battling against the government and the African Union troops, still has a strong presence in many of the rural areas of the southern and central parts of the country.
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