Amisom releases El-Adde camp images

Amisom Deputy Commander Nakibus Lakara salutes KDF soldiers during a visit to Bardere Town, Somalia. PHOTO | ABDISALAN OMAR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The images also show defence positions within the camp; trenches and  heaps of earth around them.

  • A video clip released by the African Union Mission in Somalia shows the point where a car bomb exploded on the perimeter of the camp.

  • Green sacks, which normally are sand-filled to create defence positions, are scattered around the camp.

  • The camp was attacked on January 15. 

A charred tank and mounds of earth are what were left after Al-Shabaab militants attacked El-Adde camp in Somalia, according to the first official images.

A video clip released by the African Union Mission in Somalia shows the point where a car bomb exploded on the perimeter of the camp, causing a huge fire.

Only a razor wire that was erected around the camp seemed to have withstood the blast  and the ensuing inferno. The shrubs and grass around it were reduced to ashes.

The tank was immobilised when it was hit by a rocket propelled grenade, according to inaudible voices of officers filmed inspecting the damage.

In the three-minute 15-second video, a soldier is also heard explaining to his seniors that terrorists took away military hardware, including three “ordinary” Land Rovers.

“But the fleeing terrorists were spotted by KDF planes and bombed; killing them and destroying the vehicles and equipment,” the soldier tells the commanders.

The images also show defence positions within the camp; trenches and  heaps of earth around them.

Green sacks, which normally are sand-filled to create defence positions, are scattered around the camp. A few drums, most likely used to store fuel, are strewn all over the place.

COUNTER OFFENSIVE

Top Amisom officers who visited the camp supported Kenya Defence Forces air strikes against Al-Shabaab, saying the counter offensive was in line with its mandate.

Amisom Acting Commander Nakibus Lakara said the troops were deployed in Somalia not as peacekeepers, but fighters.

“Amisom is a war mission, so from deployment, you know you have come to fight. And in a fight, there are casualties. What is important for Amisom is to ensure casualties are to the minimum and acceptable levels,” said Maj-Gen Lakara.

The camp was attacked on January 15. 

The Uganda People Defence Forces general was accompanied by senior Kenyan military officers, including Amisom spokesman, Lt-Col Paul Njuguna.

“It is important for Somali people to note that this happened but Amisom is back on the ground,” said Maj-Gen Lakara.

The senior officers visited the area even as some officials in Somalia government said civilians were killed in the KDF air strikes.