Mortar attack at Mogadishu airport claims lives of 2 African Union soldiers, injures another

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Two soldiers from the African Union peacekeeping mission were killed and another was injured following a mortar attack inside the perimeter of Mogadishu’s international airport.

The airport compound houses the African Union mission, the EU, the United Nations, and several foreign diplomatic missions, including those of the US and UK, which have faced multiple attacks this year.

In a statement, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) condemned the mortar attacks launched at the Halane Base Camp that occurred on Sunday.

"The heinous attack will not deter us and the Somali Security Forces from pursuing lasting peace and security in Somalia,” Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef said in a statement.

He said the mission reaffirmed its "unwavering" commitment to combat terrorism and build a peaceful and prosperous Somalia.

"ATMIS extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of those who lost their lives and wishes a quick recovery to those injured during the attack," the statement said.

Senior leaders of the ATMIS visited the site of the mortar attack to assess the situation.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) -- a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

The terror group has stepped up attacks since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an "all-out war" on the group.