MOGADISHU, Somalia – Four Ugandan soldiers with African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia were killed in double bomb explosions claimed by Al Qaeda linked al Shabaab.
The explosions ripped through an African Union forces’ armored personnel carrier near Afgoye town, some 30km south of Somali capital Mogadishu, said in a statement aired by al-Shabaab mouthpiece.
The Al Qaeda inspired group says it had been responsible for Saturday’s bomb attack on armored vehicle carrying Ugandan soldiers while traveling through Abdi Bille area near the town.
The group claims to have killed at least 4 African Union soldiers in the bomb attack.
There was no immediate comment from African Union mission over the claims.
Last month, Ugandan Defense ministry said two of its soldiers were killed in an ambush attack by Al Shabaab in Marka town, some 91km southwest of Somali capital.
In a statement, the Ugandan military says its soldiers with African Union peacekeeping force were on petrol at the time of the surprise assault.
The deadliest group in Africa – Al-Shabaab has been fighting the UN and internationally-backed government of Somalia.
The group, which once controlled much of Somali capital in 2011, wants to topple the weak-western backed government of Somalia.
Somalia has been engulfed by violence and lawlessness since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in the early 1990s.
