Several dead as mortar shells fired at Mogadishu airport

No group claimed responsibility for the shelling but the experts say this is a politically motivated attack given the timing and the target was the airport complex, where the new president is being inaugurated.

News Keydmedia Online
9 June 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A number of mortar shells were fired at Mogadishu International Airport, the Somali capital, last night, in an attempt to disrupt the inauguration of new President Hassan Sheikh.

The security officials in the capital say several civilians were killed in the late-night attack after mortar shells hit their homes around the heavily fortified airport facility while they were asleep.

Eight mortar blasts were heard in the city last night, waking people up, as the inauguration of the new President Hassan Sheikh took place this morning. The attack comes amid a lockdown in the capital.

Several civilian people, some from the same family are reported to have been killed and wounded in the bombardment. The exact number of the casualty figures still remains sketchy.

No group claimed responsibility for the shelling but the experts say this is a politically motivated attack given the timing and the target was the airport complex, where the new president is being inaugurated.

Leaders from East Africa, including Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh, are expected to attend the inaugural ceremony for the 10th president of Somalia.

Hassan Sheikh won May 15 election, becoming the first leader in Somalia to win a second chance the lead the Horn of Africa country in history. He defeated Farmajo, a Qatar ally who run for re-election.

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