Battle of Buulo Mareer

Battle of Buulo-Mareer
Part of the War in Somalia

UPDF T-54/55 tank destroyed by Al-Shabaab insurgents
Date26 May 2023
Location
Buulo Mareer, Somalia
1°37′47″N 44°31′11″E / 1.6298°N 44.5196°E / 1.6298; 44.5196
Result

Al-Shabaab victory, UPDF retreat

  • Militants take full control of Buulo-Mareer FOB
  • Deadliest attack on both ATMIS and Ugandan forces in Somalia to date
  • Buulo-Mareer recaptured by ATMIS troops 6 days later
Belligerents
 al-Shabaab ATMIS
 Uganda
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Diriye Lt. Col. Edward Nyororo 
 Uganda Maj. John Oluka
Maj. Obbo
Units involved
Fighters from Lower Shabelle region Uganda Battle Group 37
Strength
±800 fighters (Ugandan claim) 221 soldiers
Casualties and losses
Unknown 54 killed
(per UPDF)
137–200 killed
(per Al-Shabaab)
Several captured
Unknown wounded
Buulo Mareer
Buulo Mareer, Somalia

The battle of Buulo Mareer took place on 26 May 2023, when Al-Shabaab fighters stormed an African Union military camp manned by Ugandan forces in the town of Bulo Marer, Lower Shabelle, Somalia.

The attack remains the deadliest on ATMIS troops (successor to AMISOM) since their formation in April 2022 and is also Uganda's worst defeat in Somalia since its deployment in February 2007.