Afmadow remains secure,reports of helicopters downed ``false``:Gutti

Afmadow remains secure, reports of helicopters downed “false”: Gutti

AMISOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, has rejected Al-Shabaab claims suggesting that Afmadow town is not secure as “untrue and baseless propaganda”.Lieutenant General Gutti said:“Afmadow remains in the full control and security of AMISOM troops.

Lt.Gen.Gutti

Al-Shabaab has issued untrue and baseless propaganda suggesting otherwise. It is a desperate attempt by Al-Shabaab, misrepresenting the realities on the ground where AMISOM troops are providing security and stability to allow the local population to carry on with their normal lives, free from the fear, intimidation and violence propagated by Al-Shabaab”.

Lieutenant General Gutti also confirmed that reports of helicopters downed near Afmadow were also untrue: “No helicopters have been attacked. This is also untrue Al-Shabaab propaganda with no basis in fact”.

AMISOM troops have been providing security and stability to the local people of Afmadow since securing the town over two months ago. AMISOM operations in Afmadow have been led by the Kenyan contingent, which officially became part of AMISOM in February 2012.

Meanwhile warships have shelled the Somali port of the Al Shabaab-controlled port city ofKismayo, hours after the militants put on show the bodies of four soldiers, two Kenyans and two Somali soldiers killed in combat in their stronghold, residents said. Militants blamed Kenyan forces for the attack.

Source AMISOM and TDN reporter in Mogadishu