Sierra Leone Troops Capture Al-Shabab Fighters

The Sierra Leone peacekeeping troops deployed in the Somalia city of Tabda, on Sunday 23^rd June, 2013 captured two Al-Shabab fighters during a patrol within their vicinity.  (Photo: (RSLAF), The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces HE Dr Ernest Bai-Koroma inspects the Sierra Leone contingent parade during a farewell ceremony at Hastings on 25^th March, 2013.)

On Friday, 21^st June, 2013, the Sierra Leone troops deployed at Dobley repelled an ambush along their main supply route to Tabda.  No casualty was reported on the side of the troops.

On the following day, on Saturday, 22^nd June, 2013, a few remnants of A-Shabab attacked the troops at Tabda.  The troops halted the assault and the attacking force retreated with casualties.  None of our troops was injured or killed.

After repelling the attack, our troops conducted a robust security patrol around their deployment area on Sunday, 23 June, 2013 during which the two Al-Shabab fighters were captured. It is believed that one of the captured fighters worked for a Non-Government Organization and has been an arms dealer for Al-Shabab. The captured fighters have been handed over to the Somali National Army for further investigations.

In fulfillment of its international obligation to global peace and security, Sierra Leone joined African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2013, becoming the first troop contributing country outside East Africa to deploy its troops in Somalia. A total of 850 personnel of Sierra Leone Battalion 1 (LEOBAT 1) are currently operating alongside the Kenya contingent in three Somali cities of Dobley, Tabda and Kismayo.  The Sierra Leone battalion constitutes AMISOM’s fifth contingent after Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Kenya.

In accordance with AMISOM’s mandate, the troops are carrying out their tasks to stabilize the situation in Somalia, further dialogue and reconciliation and facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance so as to contribute to the creation of conducive condition for long-term stabilization, reconstruction and development.

Yayah Brima, Captain, Media Operations Officer

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN

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