MOGADISHU – African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) Sector one Contingent Commander, Brig Gen Michael Kabango of UPDF has paid a visit to the newly captured town of Awdheegle in North-West Somalia.
This visit was intended to morale boost and congratulate the joint forces of UPDF and Somali National Army (SNA) for liberating the town and repulsing Alshabaab terrorists who attempted to attack the forces using two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) yesterday 14th August 2019.
Addressing commanders from the joint forces, Brig Kabango urged them to stay alert and vigilant as they had done when the terrorists attacked.
He congratulated them for the job well done of fending off the enemy not to blow off the bridge and also teaching them a lesson. “Although Alshabaab intention was to blow the bridge, they found you were alert and disrupted their mission. You taught them a lesson and they now know you don’t attempt attack on UPDF and go scort freely without scratch marks”,Brig Kabango said. The sector Commander was referring to 14th August 2019 morning attempted attack by Alshabaab using two improvised armoured vehicles laden with bombs. One hit Somali National Army checkpoint and another was destroyed before reaching the bridge.
The agricultural town of Awdheegle 72Kms Northwest of Mogadishu city acted as a Logistical Base for Alshabaab. It was also an administrative unit (Amniyat) manning illegal checkpoints to extort taxes from traders and vehicles owners. It’s liberation by the joint forces of SNA and AMISOM on 6th August 2019, was a big relief to farmers and traders who have for long suffered the brunt of Alshabaab extortionist policy.
The Sector One Commander was this morning welcomed by SNA Commander Land Forces, Brig Gen Edowaa Raage, Col Wilberforce Sserunkuma the Battle Group xxviii Commander, and some international partners supporting the Federal Government of Somalia among others.
