SOMALIA - AL-SHABAAB SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK AMISOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001955 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: CASC MARR MOPS PGOV PTER SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - AL-SHABAAB SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK AMISOM POSITIONS IN MOGDISHU; AMERICAN CITIZEN AMONG WOUNDED Classified By: Somalia Unit Counselor Bob Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On September 17 al-Shabaab suicide bombers carried out two simultaneous attacks against AMISOM and Dyncorp positions in Mogadishu, wounding more than 40, including an American contractor, and killing as many as nine. According to AMISOM Special Envoy Bwakira, AMISOM Burundi Deputy Force Commander Major General Juvenal was among the dead and the wounded included TFG National Police Commissioner Abdi Qeybdiid and TFG Chief of Army Staff General Dhumaal. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility in advance of the attack, during an interview with the Associated Press. The attack came two days after al-Shabaab vowed revenge for a September 14 helicopter assault that killed al-Qaeda East Africa leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan. End summary. ¶2. (C) According to TFG officials at the site, the AMCIT had a compound fracture of his right leg and lacerations on his face but appeared to be in stable condition. Dyncorp contacts reported on the contrary that the AMCIT suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery at the UPDF hospital in Mogadishu during late afternoon hours on September 17. As of 5:30 p.m. (local) the situation remained fluid due to continued mortar rounds at the airport, but UN contracted flights carrying five of the most seriously wounded, to include the AMCIT, were in route from Mogadishu to Nairobi. The flight was expected to land at Wilson Airport at approximately 6:30 p.m. (local) and the AMCIT was expected to arrive at Aga Khan Hospital (Nairobi) at approximately 7:30 p.m. Embassy Consular Section officials will meet the AMCIT after his arrival. ¶3. (C) At about 11.30 a.m. (local) two suicide bombers attacked Ugandan AMISOM headquarters and the Dyncorp contractor facilities at the airport in Mogadishu. Two stolen UN vehicles were reported to have facilitated access. (The cars were reportedly taken in recent months during raid on a UN compound.) AMISOM Special Envoy Bwakira told us the AMISOM HQ was heavily damaged. The attack was carried out as a high level TFG/AMISOM security meeting was concluding. TFG National Police Commissioner Abdi Qeybdid and TFG Chief of Army Staff General Dhumaal as well as TFG Deputy Police Commissioner Mohamed Nur, are reported to have been only slightly wounded, TFG Infantry Commander Gamudule was seriously wounded, according to AMISOM officials. ¶4. (C) Four additional UN contracted flights, carrying two wounded each, are scheduled to arrive Mogadishu the morning September 18 to carry an additional eight wounded to Nairobi. The wounded will be met by the UN Support Office for AMISOM-contracted doctors and ambulances for transport to Karen, Aga Khan and Nairobi hospitals. ¶5. (C) We are working with the United Nations Political Office for Somalia on a coordinated joint press conference with the AU, the League of Arab States, and the African Union. In addition, the Somalia Unit assisted the TFG in organizing and carrying out a press conference for Somali media on September 17. The Minister of Information held the press conference and highlighted the horrific nature of the attack, particularly during the sacred time of Ramadan, in his opening remarks. RANNEBERGER