The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has strongly refuted allegations in which AMISOM soldiers are accused of killing more than 11 innocent civilians in Marka town on Tuesday.
AMISOM said its troops who were on regular patrols encountered an Al Shabaab training center at Juujomo, close to El Hindi Village and five Al Shabaab fighters were killed after gunfight with African union troops.
They said apart from recovering two rifles and several explosive devices also key Al Shabaab figure named Mohamed Dahir was killed in the fighting.
AMISOM reiterated that in line with Rules of Engagement (RoE) which are in agreement with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), AU troops are under obligation to avoid civilian casualties and to exercise maximum restraint even under imminent attack and have categorically denounced what is described as devious allegations against its troops in the port city of Marka.
AMISOM said it will continue to conduct patrols to ensure the safety and security of the population in the area.