Eswatini soldiers shoot 2 US personnel during an anti-smuggling operation

Soldiers in Eswatini accidentally shot two United States government personnel during an anti-smuggling operation in the country's northeast last week, according to the Eswatini government.

The incident occurred late Friday in a rural area when Eswatini army personnel were carrying out an operation against smuggling, the government said in a statement issued on Monday.

Eswatini government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the two Americans sustained minor injuries and that an investigation was underway.

The government has not identified the US personnel or explained why they were in the area at the time of the incident.

The US State Department confirmed that it was aware of the shooting, saying the affected US personnel were safe. It did not disclose their identities but said it was working with the Eswatini government as investigations continue.

Eswatini army spokesperson Sandile Gwebu said the matter was now being handled as a diplomatic issue between the two countries and declined to provide further details.

The Eswatini government said the incident was being treated with the seriousness it warranted.

Eswatini, a small landlocked kingdom of about 1.3 million people, borders South Africa and Mozambique. The country is ruled by King Mswati III, who retains extensive political powers and is widely described as Africa's last absolute monarch.