Hiiraan Online
Thursday, February 11, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – The largest African Union military base in the Somali capital has come under mortar fire from the Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabab group officials said Thursday.
The Halane base camp, supposedly the most secure area in Mogadishu and home to the United Nations offices and western embassies has been hit by previous attacks by Al Shabab.
Security officials said that shell fires that hit in open grounds inside the base underline the security challenges facing Somali government and African Union forces that are struggling to secure the capital.
Residents who live near Mogadishu airport reported sounds of blasts as mortars struck the African Union base.
Al Shabab claimed the responsibility for the attack.
The attack comes few days after a botched bombing on a Daalo airline which made an emergency landing at Mogadishu airport with a gaping hole on the side.
Somali government confirmed that a bomb was cause of the blast, as investigations into the bombing are progressing, with final result expected as early as next week.