Al-Shabab Attacks Somalia Parliament Complex
Armed group says it launched bomb and gun assault that killed at least four people in Mogadishu.
24 May 2014 15:08
The armed group al-Shabab launched an assault on the Somali parliament in Mogadishu, setting off a car bomb and storming the complex in an attack which killed at least four people.
Fighters on Saturday set off a car bomb outside the main gates and hit a guard post and with a suicide blast, before launching a gun assault on the compound.
African Union and Somali forces said the assault lasted four hours before the area brought under control.
Abdulaziz Abu Musab, al-Shabab's military spokesman, told the Reuters news agency: "The so-called Somali parliament is a military zone. Our fighters are there to carry out a holy operation. We shall issue a comprehensive report after the conclusion of the operation."
Farah Hussein, a police colonel, told the agency: "A car bomb exploded at the gate of the parliament house - then it was followed by a suicide bomber explosion. So far we have confirmed four policemen dead."
"The politicians and the other workers were rescued as soon as the car bomb exploded. But the terrorists are still firing from inside a mosque nearby," he added.
The AP news agency reported that politicians were inside the building as the attack began. Two were wounded by gunfire, according to Mohamed Ali, an MP.
The agency quoted Mohamed Nor, another MP, saying that the army had failed to protect them "The enemy can now access everywhere," the agency quoted him as saying
A statement from Somalia's prime minister, Abdiweli Ahmed, said: "The terrorists have once again shown that they are against all Somalis, by killing our innocent brothers and sisters. These cowardly, despicable actions are not a demonstration of the true Islamic faith.
"This attack will not deter the government of Somalia from continuing to hunt down and destroy the terrorists and build a peaceful Somalia that terrorists will never rule over."
The parliament building is about 300 metres from the Somali presidential palace, and is guarded by African Union and Somali forces,
Al-Shabab was forced out of Mogadishu about two years ago, but is still capable of launching complex attacks in the most-guarded areas of the city.
It has launched attacks in neighbouring Kenya, which has sent troops across the border to fight the group. Last September, the group killed 67 people at the Westgate Mall shopping centre in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
SOMALIA: Al-Shabaab militants attack the Somali Parliament
May 24, 2014
Horseed Media
At least ten people was killed and more than thirty wounded after Al Shabaab militants attacked the Somali Federal Parliament in Mogadishu, on Saturday.
The attack happened during a parliamentary session, more than one hundred MPs were present in the parliament building which is one of the heavily guarded buildings in the Somali capital.
A car bomb exploded at the entrance of the Parliament, later several armed militants stormed the building, and a heavy gunfight ensued between the gunmen and the African Union Peacekeepers (AMISOM).
The gun battle was ongoing for hours after the first explosion.
For the last couple of days there have been many rumors about a motion against the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is currently traveling to South Africa for the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma.
More than 100 MPs were planning to draft a motion of NO confidence against the President. Many MPs blame the President of the insecurity in the country and the corruption allegations against the Federal government.
Last week Gen. Abdi Mohamed Ismail the former head of the somali Custodial Corps was pardoned by the President. The former general who was arrested last October, was indicted by the military court for releasing dozens of Al Shabab fighters from Mogadishu prison.
President Hassan says, he has released the general after requests from his clan and family members. Some say the President released the general in a campaign to gain more support to bring to a halt the current motion of NO confidence being drafted by the MPs.
In October 2013 the militant group launched a devastating attack on the Mogadishu’s court, killing more than 15 people. In February this year, Al Shabab fighters attacked the Presidential palace killing almost 20 people; seven Al shabab fighters were killed in that attack.
The government launched an investigation on the attacks. In both incidents the gunmen were wearing military uniforms and had access to the inner perimeter of the Presidential palace. But so far the Somali government hasn’t released any information regarding the ongoing investigations.
SOMALIA: Two lawmakers confirmed wounded in today’s parliament attack
May 24, 2014
Mogadishu (RBC)
At least two lawmakers were confirmed wounded in today’s attack by militants of Al Shabab on the building of the Federal Parliament of Somalia in Mogadishu, according to parliamentarians.
The two lawmakers, Omar Mohamed Finish and Abdalla Boos were both take to different hospitals in Mogadishu for treatment after sustaining minor injuries from a car bomb blast that hit the front checkpoint of the building.
MP Abdi Garane said the blast was followed by a direct gun attack by the militants, but the security forces of Somalia fought against the militants killing all the attackers.
“”Most of the people affected by the attack were the security guards,” he added.
On this afternoon, Police displayed the bodies of seven Al Shabab militants who were their bodies scattered inside the building of the parliament.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has visited the parliament building as he strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
“Our forces should move quickly and attack the bases of the terrorist groups where they plan such heinous attacks,” he added.
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| Damage from attack on Somalia parliament in Mogadishu on Sat. May 24, 2014. |
24 May 2014 15:08
The armed group al-Shabab launched an assault on the Somali parliament in Mogadishu, setting off a car bomb and storming the complex in an attack which killed at least four people.
Fighters on Saturday set off a car bomb outside the main gates and hit a guard post and with a suicide blast, before launching a gun assault on the compound.
African Union and Somali forces said the assault lasted four hours before the area brought under control.
Abdulaziz Abu Musab, al-Shabab's military spokesman, told the Reuters news agency: "The so-called Somali parliament is a military zone. Our fighters are there to carry out a holy operation. We shall issue a comprehensive report after the conclusion of the operation."
Farah Hussein, a police colonel, told the agency: "A car bomb exploded at the gate of the parliament house - then it was followed by a suicide bomber explosion. So far we have confirmed four policemen dead."
"The politicians and the other workers were rescued as soon as the car bomb exploded. But the terrorists are still firing from inside a mosque nearby," he added.
The AP news agency reported that politicians were inside the building as the attack began. Two were wounded by gunfire, according to Mohamed Ali, an MP.
The agency quoted Mohamed Nor, another MP, saying that the army had failed to protect them "The enemy can now access everywhere," the agency quoted him as saying
A statement from Somalia's prime minister, Abdiweli Ahmed, said: "The terrorists have once again shown that they are against all Somalis, by killing our innocent brothers and sisters. These cowardly, despicable actions are not a demonstration of the true Islamic faith.
"This attack will not deter the government of Somalia from continuing to hunt down and destroy the terrorists and build a peaceful Somalia that terrorists will never rule over."
The parliament building is about 300 metres from the Somali presidential palace, and is guarded by African Union and Somali forces,
Al-Shabab was forced out of Mogadishu about two years ago, but is still capable of launching complex attacks in the most-guarded areas of the city.
It has launched attacks in neighbouring Kenya, which has sent troops across the border to fight the group. Last September, the group killed 67 people at the Westgate Mall shopping centre in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
SOMALIA: Al-Shabaab militants attack the Somali Parliament
May 24, 2014
Horseed Media
At least ten people was killed and more than thirty wounded after Al Shabaab militants attacked the Somali Federal Parliament in Mogadishu, on Saturday.
The attack happened during a parliamentary session, more than one hundred MPs were present in the parliament building which is one of the heavily guarded buildings in the Somali capital.
A car bomb exploded at the entrance of the Parliament, later several armed militants stormed the building, and a heavy gunfight ensued between the gunmen and the African Union Peacekeepers (AMISOM).
The gun battle was ongoing for hours after the first explosion.
For the last couple of days there have been many rumors about a motion against the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is currently traveling to South Africa for the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma.
More than 100 MPs were planning to draft a motion of NO confidence against the President. Many MPs blame the President of the insecurity in the country and the corruption allegations against the Federal government.
Last week Gen. Abdi Mohamed Ismail the former head of the somali Custodial Corps was pardoned by the President. The former general who was arrested last October, was indicted by the military court for releasing dozens of Al Shabab fighters from Mogadishu prison.
President Hassan says, he has released the general after requests from his clan and family members. Some say the President released the general in a campaign to gain more support to bring to a halt the current motion of NO confidence being drafted by the MPs.
In October 2013 the militant group launched a devastating attack on the Mogadishu’s court, killing more than 15 people. In February this year, Al Shabab fighters attacked the Presidential palace killing almost 20 people; seven Al shabab fighters were killed in that attack.
The government launched an investigation on the attacks. In both incidents the gunmen were wearing military uniforms and had access to the inner perimeter of the Presidential palace. But so far the Somali government hasn’t released any information regarding the ongoing investigations.
SOMALIA: Two lawmakers confirmed wounded in today’s parliament attack
May 24, 2014
Mogadishu (RBC)
At least two lawmakers were confirmed wounded in today’s attack by militants of Al Shabab on the building of the Federal Parliament of Somalia in Mogadishu, according to parliamentarians.
The two lawmakers, Omar Mohamed Finish and Abdalla Boos were both take to different hospitals in Mogadishu for treatment after sustaining minor injuries from a car bomb blast that hit the front checkpoint of the building.
MP Abdi Garane said the blast was followed by a direct gun attack by the militants, but the security forces of Somalia fought against the militants killing all the attackers.
“”Most of the people affected by the attack were the security guards,” he added.
On this afternoon, Police displayed the bodies of seven Al Shabab militants who were their bodies scattered inside the building of the parliament.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has visited the parliament building as he strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
“Our forces should move quickly and attack the bases of the terrorist groups where they plan such heinous attacks,” he added.
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