MOGADISHU, Jan 2, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Three people were wounded when gunmen
fired a barrage of mortars that landed inside the main United Nations base in
Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, the UN said Tuesday.
“Seven mortars landed inside the compound this afternoon, injuring two UN
staff members and one contractor,” the UN said in a statement. “None of the
injuries is life-threatening.”
The Islamist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsiblity for the attack.
The Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, is fighting to overthrow the
internationally backed Somali government in Mogadishu.
Such attacks used to take place nearly daily, but have declined since the
Shabaab fled fixed positions in the capital in 2011.
They still control parts of the countryside and carry out attacks against
government, military and civilian targets seemingly at will in both Mogadishu
and regional towns.
“No political agenda can be served through violence that deliberately
targets staff members of international organizations who are supporting the
consolidation of peace and the strengthening of governing institutions in
Somalia,” said Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN’s mission in the country.