Somalia: Several mortar shells land in Mogadishu

FILE - Somali police walk around the scene of an explosion near the entrance of the airport in Mogadishu, Feb. 13, 2014.

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Several mortar shells were fired in a number of districts within Somalia's capital Mogadishu, witnesses said, in yet another vain attempt by the militants to destabilize security arrangements within the city, which has been enjoying relative stability for a number of months.

Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was a long target of Al-Shabaab militants but the group was pushed out following efforts by the Somali National Army [SNA] and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops. The Ethiopian and Ugandan continents participated in the onslaught.

According to witnesses, mortar shells hit Kaxda, Wadijir, and Dharkeenley in Mogadishu on Sunday morning, resulting in unknown casualties. The Al-Shabaab militants, who have activated attacks across the country, have taken responsibility but did not reveal who was targeted.

Some of the mortar shells shells hit Tarabush, a slum village in the Wadajir district. The police have not revealed the number of casualties from the mortar attack, but it is feared a number of civilians may have been critically injured or perished in the incident which would definitely trigger surveillance in the capital.

Mogadishu has been the hub of peace while the rest of the country particularly central and southern regions battle with Al-Shabaab menace. The Somali National Army and other security teams are currently involved in the crackdown against the militants in central and southern regions.

Two days ago, a suicide bomber detonated himself within a busy restaurant in Mogadishu, killing at least five people. While the militants did not reveal the motive of the attack, they are, however, known to target security forces, senior government officials and in most cases, innocent civilians.

Operations against the militants in central and southern regions have made significant progress, with most areas being liberated by security forces. The Al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which is given popular responsibility to stabilize the country.

GAROWE ONLINE