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The African Union will continue its operations against al-Shabaab despite the loss of three Ugandan helicopters in a crash at the weekend, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Ambassador Boubacar Diarra said in a statement on Wednesday (August 15th).

"At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved, as well as with the people and government and security forces of Uganda," Diarra said. The African Union Mission in Somalia will continue to follow search and rescue developments, he said.

The aircraft were intended to bolster gains made against al-Shabaab, which has fled from a string of previous strongholds in recent months, stretching AMISOM military resources over a wider zone.

Despite the setback, Diarra said AMISOM is committed to improving the security of the people of Somalia and urged the United Nations and the international community to expedite the deployment of replacement helicopters and crew.

"As AMISOM continues to expand into open country, the deployment of these long awaited enablers, authorised under UN Security Council Resolution 2036, remains critical for operational, as well as logistical, support and medical evacuation," he said.

One helicopter was found on Monday, with all seven servicemen onboard rescued. Rescuers found the wreckage of the two crashed Ugandan helicopters near Mount Kenya on Tuesday, with two Ugandan servicemen dead and at least eight survivors, according to AFP.

Another body was found Wednesday inside the burnt wreckage of one helicopter, taking the number confirmed dead to three, said Kenyan army spokesman Bogita Ongeri.

"Our hearts are with those family members whose dear ones we are still searching for," the Ugandan army said in a statement.