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AU mission in Somalia probes killing of civilians by its soldiers

Xinhua, October 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Friday it had launched a probe into the circumstances of a shooting by its soldiers that killed a driver and injured two others in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday evening.

The head of AMISOM Francisco Madeira said in a statement the accident happened after a convoy carrying civilian contractors were stopped at an AMISOM camp for routine security check.

"Unfortunately, one of the soldiers conducting the security check accidentally shot a driver dead and injured two others. The injured were immediately ferried to AMISOM Level II hospital for treatment," the statement said.

The AU envoy said the families of the deceased and the injured had been notified of the incident and regretted "this very unfortunate development."

Madeira said "a final conclusion on the circumstances" would be reached soon.

AMISOM troops are helping the Somali government battle Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which stages frequent attacks in the country. But there had been incidents involving AMISOM troops against civilians.

In April, AMISOM troops killed four civilians near Bulla Marer in southern Somalia in what the AU mission called an accident, sparking protests by locals.

In July, AMISOM troops were accused of killing 14 civilians and injuring three others in Wardiinle location, southern Somalia. Endit