The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) admitted that its forces in Lower Shabelle region killed 25 camels on Saturday.
Amisom spokesman, Lt Colonel Joe Kibet told Somali News Network (SONNA) Sunday that militants loyal to the jihadist group Al-Shabaab ambushed Amisom troops at Wareer-Maleh, near Barawe town, 200 km south of the Somali capital Mogadishu.
“In the course of the confrontation
that lasted for sometime caused the death of 25 camels and injuries to 4
more animals,” said Lt Col Kibet.
“The animals were grazing in the area of the confrontations,” the
spokesman added, confirming that two peacekeepers were wounded.
The spokesman reiterated that Amisom is in discussion with the local
authority on what happened and the circumstances surrounding the killing
of the camels.
Currently, Somali livestock sector is the largest contributor to
country's economy with over 65 per cent of the population engaged in the
industry in some way.
In 2011 for example, with almost 4 million exported, the Horn of
Africa country was the world’s leading exporter of sheep and goats,
according to FAO data.
The Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab had lost most of the districts in
Southern and Central regions of Somalia, but still control large swathes
of rural areas, waging attacks on government forces and African Union
troops.
Five countries, namely Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia
have contributed to the 22,000 strong force that operate in Somalia in
order to stabilize the war-ravaged Horn of Africa country.
