Last week marked a major setback for AMISOM forces in Somalia, even as battle to liberate many towns that are under Al-Shabaab intensified.
Just meters at Presidential Palace, Major General Fatuma Ali, became the latest victim of Al-Shabaab engineered attacks, dying on the spot with one of her bodyguards.
Kenya has remained instrumental in the war against Al-Shabaab. The death of the courageous soldier would perhaps he described as worst blow to AMISOM soldiers, given their gains under her leadership in the Somalia capital, Mogadishu.
Joined Somalia National Army in 2008, Major General Fatuma rose ranks to a two star general, the first ever woman in the war torn nation. Previously, she had married twice and her husbands were coincidentally killed by Al-Shabaab.
On Wednesday last week, Lieutenant Bishra Muse, her third husband, was the latest victim of Al-Shabaab explosion, dying instantly with his courageous wife.
"Maj Fay Ali was a leader and a role model to female soldiers who respected her. She sacrificed as a mother of 9. Her 3rd husband, also a soldier was in the same vehicle, he died today. Her previous two husbands were also killed by Shabaab according to a person who knows the family," said Harun Maruf, a VOA journalist.
In his tribute, Maruf added: "She was described as a self-less, brave soldier who sacrificed a lot for peace. Her husband, also a soldier died in the same attack when VBIED explosion destroyed their vehicle."
Major General Fatuma Ali was involved in battles to push Al-Shabaab militants away from the Palace. She was involved in the offensive to retake Bakara market from Al-Shabaab. Maj. Fay Ali was one of the officers that worked closely with AMISOM during the offensive in the capital in 2011.
Within AMISOM ranks, Maruf said, Major General Fatuma Ali was regarded as a true friend to the mission. Kenya is among lead contributors of soldiers to the African Union mission in Somalia.
"Maj. Fay Ali was deployed with different military brigades in the operations department. Most notably, she became Chief of Operations for the Special Forces Danab. She coordinated with AU forces. AMISOM praised her and described her as a “true friend” of the Mission," he said.