Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has condemned a deadly mortar attack on Halane Base Camp in Mogadishu, carried out early Sunday morning.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the assault, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of three UN personnel and two Ugandan soldiers serving under ATMIS, with two additional soldiers injured.

ATMIS Special Representative Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef denounced the attack as a “heinous” act, reaffirming the mission’s commitment to achieving lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

“This attack will not deter us and the Somali Security Forces from our mission of combating terrorism and building a prosperous Somalia,” Souef said.

The ATMIS Senior Leadership Team visited the impact sites to assess the damage and express condolences to the families and friends of those affected.

Al-Shabaab’s assault targeted the well-fortified Halane Base Camp, which hosts UN and AU headquarters, and Aden Abdulle International Airport.

Somali Police have not yet commented on the incident, which occurred only hours before Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud departed Mogadishu for a diplomatic tour to the UAE, Serbia, and Germany.