MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – September 11, 2023 – The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has reported the successful neutralization of a knife-wielding attacker who seriously injured a Ugandan officer in an incident that unfolded on Sunday in Mogadishu.
ATMIS revealed that it thwarted an attempt to breach security protocols at the Madina gate in Mogadishu, Somalia, one of the gateways providing access to the basecamp from the city center.
An unidentified individual tried to gain entry into the basecamp, which houses both the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) and United Nations (UN) offices, without undergoing the mandatory security screening.
“A vigilant soldier on duty promptly approached the individual, requesting compliance with standard security procedures, including passing through the security scanner for routine security checks. Unfortunately, the individual declined to cooperate and became violent, brandishing a knife, and attacked the soldier, stabbing him three times on the stomach, neck, and shoulder,” the statement said.
“In a swift response to the immediate threat, another soldier stationed at the access point neutralized the individual responsible for the attack. ATMIS acknowledges and commends the swift actions of the soldiers involved in this incident,” it adds.
Although earlier reports suggested that the Ugandan officer had succumbed to his injuries, ATMIS, while withholding the officer’s identity, clarified that he sustained severe injuries during the incident. He was swiftly evacuated to ATMIS Level 2 Hospital in Mogadishu, where he is currently receiving intensive medical care.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of escalating security threats in Mogadishu, primarily driven by the militant group Al-Shabaab. In recent weeks, the city has witnessed a surge in assassinations, bombings, and gun attacks, with civilians bearing the brunt of these assaults.