Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in Somalia

Emergency rescue staff carry the body of a victim on a gurney at the scene of a car-bomb attack on February 4, 2019 in Somalia capital Mogadishu's Hamarwayne District. (Photo by ABDIRAZAK HUSSEIN FARAH / AFP)

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab militants continued with their onslaught in Somalia, targeting innocent civilians and security forces, despite solid efforts to reclaim the country from the terror group which has been dominant for over a decade.

A top security official said at least four people were killed on Monday after a rickshaw they were traveling in hit an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] in Jowhar city of Southern Somalia on Monday.

The official who spoke in condition of anonymity to the media added that the incident took place at Hansholey village in the regional administrative capital of Hirshabelle in the Middle Shabelle region.

Military personnel, the official added, usually frequent the road thus the militants were probably targeting them. The Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia according to reports by the US Africa Command.

Last week, nearly 10 people were killed as a bus traveling on the outskirts of Kismayo port city, about 500 km south of Mogadishu ran over an IED.

Al-Shabaab terrorists frequently target the Somali military on the road, he said, adding unarmed civilians also fall victims to roadside bombs planted by terrorists. The group is seeking to overthrow the fragile UN-backed Somalia government.

For almost 12 months, the Somali National Army [SNA] has been carrying out operations in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions in a bid to flush out the militants. The African Union Mission Forces [AMISOM] have also been taking part in these exercises.

Though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the roadside explosion, al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the recent attacks in the region targeting the Somali military, local administration officials, and Burundian peacekeepers serving under African Union Mission to Somalia.

Last week, there were close to three major attacks across the country which left over 15 people dead. The country has been facing sporadic Al-Shabaab attacks despite improved security by the forces.

GAROWE ONLINE