Two US government personnel suffered minor injuries after Eswatini soldiers accidentally opened fire during an anti-smuggling operation in the country’s northeast.

Mbabane, Eswatini (Running Africa) — American officials were shot in Eswatini on Friday, prompting the country’s military to open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The shooting occurred in Maphiveni, a rural village about two hours from the capital, Mbabane, according to acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli.

Eswatini authorities did not identify the Americans, disclose how many people were involved, or explain why they were in the area when the shooting occurred.

Eswatini Army Investigates Shooting of US Officials

Mdluli said the Eswatini army had launched an investigation to determine what happened.

The US State Department confirmed that the personnel affected by the incident were safe and said American authorities were working with Eswatini on the investigation.

Eswatini’s military described the incident as a diplomatic matter. Authorities have not publicly provided further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting.

Shooting Comes Amid Close US-Eswatini Relations

The incident comes as Eswatini and the United States maintain close diplomatic ties, including cooperation over Washington’s deportation program.

Eswatini has received more than 30 people deported from the United States under a $5.1 million agreement allowing the southern African country to host up to 160 third-country nationals.

The arrangement has faced legal challenges and criticism from lawyers and human rights groups over the treatment of some deportees.

The Eswatini government said it remained committed to maintaining and strengthening relations with the United States as authorities investigate the shooting.

No further information about the identities of the US personnel or the circumstances surrounding the incident had been released.