53 African Union peacekeepers die in Somalia

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http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc-article.aspx?cp-documentid=27891353

By The Associated Press, cbc.ca, Updated: March 4, 2011 11:34 AM

53 African Union peacekeepers die in Somalia

Two diplomats in Kenya say at least 53 African Union peacekeeping troops have

died in fighting in Somalia since a major offensive against Islamist militants

began two weeks ago.

The death toll is far higher than any publicly acknowledged casualty figure for

the African Union, which appears to be trying to keep the extent of its losses

quiet due to political considerations in troop-contributing nation Burundi.

The African Union force has publicly confirmed only a handful of deaths since

heavy fighting started Feb. 19. The diplomats — who spoke to the Associated

condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media —

said at least 53 have died.

The African Union force said hundreds of militants from Somalia's most dangerous

insurgent group, al-Shabab, have been killed in the offensive.