Somalia: Top army general injured in Mogadishu explosion

MOGADISHU, Somalia - For the second time in less than a week, the Al-Shabaab militants on Monday targeted a senior security officer within Somalia, in the group's strategy to disorient the safety of government officials within the federal republic of Somalia.

According to police reports, the Al-Shabaab militants planted an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] within Banadir junction in Mogadishu, leaving three people dead, among them two soldiers and a civilian.

Sources indicate the blast targeted Somali military Gen Mohamed Hashi shortly after leaving the Villa Baidoa army base. SNA officer was wounded in the bomb attack on his convoy in Mogadishu, Somalia on Monday morning.

Al-Shabaab has stepped up terrorist attacks in the capital at a time when the country is in a difficult election period. It's not clear why the militants targeted General Hashi but for years, the militants have often targeted senior government officials, military officers, and innocent civilians.

Last week, the militants also targeted police chief General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar at Lido beach in Mogadishu, in an attack that left six civilians dead. The officer was not armed at the time of the attack and was leading a number of legislators in a meeting.

Most of the suicide bombings targeting government officials have often taken place within Mogadishu, one of the most protected cities in the country. The militants have been trying to disrupt the electioneering process within the country.

The opposition has been accusing the government of colluding with the militants to disrupt the electoral exercise in Somalia, a claim which Villa Somalia terms "untrue". Insecurity incidents have intensified in the city, triggering questions about security.

The committee in charge of elections of the speaker has since moved the exercise to the Afisiyoni tent, citing recent incidents targeting the parliament building and the ATMIS headquarters within the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.

Military officers have borne the brunt of the Al-Shabaab attacks, with the militants often targeting their bases in the country. The African Union Mission Forces have not been spared either, with the militants attacking Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] bases at El-Adde and Kulbiyow a few years ago.

GAROWE ONLINE