Ugandan troops serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) suffered heavy casualties in the operation to retake Bariire district from government forces on Friday.
Sources confirmed that at least 17 Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers were killed in the operation, including six who were killed this week in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack on their convoy.
However, the troops achieved combat success, capturing four Al-Shabaab fighters during the final phase of the Bariire offensive.
The Bariire offensive was preceded by the capture of the villages of Sabiid and Canole.
The next step will be the strategic town of Awdheegle, which military officials said would be the most difficult operation yet.
If Awdheegle is captured, it will be a major victory, as the government will regain control of all five key bridges in the region. It will also force Al-Shabaab to retreat north of the Shabelle River.
