Somalia gets vehicles, equipment from UK to tackle roadside bombs

By Magdalene Mukami

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – The war on terrorism in Somalia got a boost on Friday after the UK donated equipment and vehicles to the Somali army to combat roadside bombs in Somalia.

State-run Somalia National Television reported the Somali army received vehicles and multi-skilled route search and IEDD (improvised explosive device disposal) equipment from the UK to detect and defuse roadside bombs.

The British Embassy in Mogadishu said: “Through our partnership with the Somali National Army, we are working towards a safer Somalia.”

In the past, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the UN Mine Action Service, and the British army held several meetings with partners to end the use of improvised explosive devices in Somalia, which have killed thousands of people.

“IEDs remain a weapon of choice for terrorists who target AMISOM convoys, Somali security forces, and civilians traveling along the main supply routes. As a result, this hampers movement of people, goods, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to communities in need,” AMISOM had said in a past summit in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia often use IEDs, targeting civilians and security forces in the Horn of Africa country.