UN slams attack on African Union base in Somalia

The United Nations Friday condemned an attack on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which led to the deaths of a number of peacekeeping soldiers and civilian contractors.

UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon in a statement issued here by his spokesperson, strongly condemned the attack which took place Thursday on the AMISOM base camp, located in the international airport in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

"The secretary-general conveys his sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, and wishes a swift recovery for the injured," the spokesperson said.

Commending AMISOM for its quick response to the attack, the secretary-general expressed solidarity with the mission and UN personnel working for peace in Somalia and reaffirmed the United Nations' "resolve to support the government and people of Somalia in their continuing journey toward peace and stability."

The AMISOM base camp inside Mogadishu Airport was infiltrated by Al-Shabaab militants in disguise of Somali army, the UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM) in the Horn of Africa country confirmed. During the gun fight, three soldiers and two civilian contractors were killed.

The special representative of the secretary-general for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, who also heads the UNSOM, confirmed in another statement that all UN staff are safe and sound. The airport also houses the UN Headquarters for Somalia.