Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI1955
2009-09-17 15:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - AL-SHABAAB SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK AMISOM
how-toVZCZCXRO8144 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1955 2601520 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171520Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1013 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
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).
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
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