Mortars rock Somali town ahead of talks on elections

Local residents say the town has seen in the past such shelling launched from Al-Shabaab-held areas located on the outskirts of the administrative capital of Galmudug due to the failure in the security.

News Keydmedia Online
2 February 2021

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia – Al-Shabaab has fired mortar shells at Galmudug capital, Dhusamareb in central Somalia ahead of major talks on the deadlock over the election due to kick off this week.

At least seven mortar rounds reportedly around the venue of the meeting on the evening of Monday. It is currently unclear whether there have been any casualties or significant damage from the indirect fire.

The mortar shells hit the city just hours after Somali PM Mohamed Hussein Roble and president Farmajo arrived on Monday afternoon under tight security. 

Local residents say the town has seen in the past such shelling launched from Al-Shabaab-held areas located on the outskirts of the administrative capital of Galmudug due to the failure in the security.

Al-Shabaab has intensified terrorist attacks in the country, taking advantage of the electioneering period and political crisis among the central government and the Federal States over the electoral process.

On Sunday, the militant group attacked the Afrik hotel in Mogadishu, killing at least 9 people, including Mohamed Nur Galal, a former veteran general and one of the SNA founding fathers.

KON English News Desk