Unexploded ordnance leaves 27 dead in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 27 people mainly children have died in Somalia, authorities confirmed, following an explosion caused by an unexploded ordinance, in a town that has been under the control of Al-Shabaab militants, a grothatich has been wreaking havoc in central and southern parts.

The explosive also left at least 53 people critically injured in Muraale village on the outskirts of the agricultural-rich town of Janaale, which was recently liberated from Al-Shabaab. The old bomb was found by children who may have played with it, triggering the tragedy in the country.

Abdirahman Yusuf Abdinur, Janaale DC said most of those who died include children, youths, and adults. Abdinur described the situation as a “disaster,” and called for help to treat the injured. The explosive is said to have been left behind by the Al-Shabaab militants who have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

Misuse of weapons in Somalia is an old story given the country is that fresh from a civil war that left hundreds dead.

In the last few months, Al-Shabaab militants have been running away from some villages due to sustained military campaigns against them by the Somali National Army [SNA], the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia.

These sustained campaigns, locals say, may have motivated the group to implant explosives and, or, forced them to leave thfrombehind while running away for safety. Al-Shabaab lost huge chunks of rural central and southern Somalia, with the government intending to secure the country by December 2024.

Already, the government says it can be able to handle security responsibilities upon the exit of ATMIS troops who are scheduled for strategic exit starting this month. The 2000 soldiers, Somalia said, will be replaced by a contingent that has been training from neighboring countries like Eritrea and Uganda.

The militants are yet to back down given that on Friday evening, they attacked a highly protected Pearl Hotel in Mogadishu, where they held hostage dozens of people, with a rescue mission now ended. 

GAROWE ONLINE