Mogadishu security worsens as Al-Shabaab attacks parliament

Explosions and gunfire were heard and witnesses reported seeing lawmakers fleeing the scene following the mortar attack which comes as the Horn of Africa country is facing a political and security crisis.

News Keydmedia Online
18 April 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab launched a mortar attack on the Somali parliament on Monday as lawmakers were leaving a joint session on the election of the speaker.

One of the mortars hit the entrance of Villa Hargeisa inside the presidential palace in Mogadishu, injuring several security guards and members of parliament staff, according to the sources.

Explosions and gunfire were heard and witnesses reported seeing lawmakers fleeing the scene following the mortar attack which comes as the Horn of Africa country is facing a political and security crisis.

There were no deaths reported as a result of the mortar shelling which becomes the second since the new parliament was sworn in on April 14 near Mogadishu airport.

An estimated 197 lawmakers from the Senate and the Lower House, who held today their first joint session set April 27 and 27 as dates for the elections for the speakers of both houses respectively.

The security in Mogadishu seems to be getting out of hand amid a standoff between the outgoing president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and PM Mohamed Hussein Roble who are fighting for control.

Somalia has experienced almost constant conflict since the military regime was ousted in 1991. The country with the help of AU troops is at war with Al-Shabaab, a terror group linked with Al-Qaeda.

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