Two U.S. government personnel were mistakenly shot by military forces in the African nation of Eswatini last week, according to the country's government.
They were shot late Friday in a rural northeastern region as the Eswatini army conducted an anti-smuggling operation, Eswatini's government said in a news release late Monday.
Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Eswatini government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the Americans suffered "minor injuries" and an inquiry is underway.
Authorities in Eswatini did not immediately name the Americans or explain their presence.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged the event, confirming the "affected U.S. personnel are safe," though it also withheld their identities. It added that it is working alongside Eswatini officials on the joint investigation.
Eswatini army spokesperson Sandile Gwebu declined to provide additional context, telling the AP that the matter is now "a diplomatic issue" being handled by both nations.
In its official statement, the government of Eswatini noted that "the incident is being treated with the seriousness it warrants."
Situated on the border between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is a small nation of nearly 1.3 million people. The country is ruled by King Mswati III, Africa's final absolute monarch holding total political power.
