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| Africa Horn | |
| Gunmen storm Presidential compound in Mogadishu | |
| 2014-02-22 | |
According to witnesses, shortly after the car bomb attack men wearing military uniform fired live ammunitions at Somali government officials who attended Jum'a prayer at a mosque in the presidential compound, triggering a gun battle that left the secretary of the Prime Minister's office Mohamoud Idhacase and former National Intelligence and Security Agency Chief Gen. Nuur Shirbow dead. Sources within Somalia Federal Government officials tell Garowe Online News Agency that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud haven't today arrived at the presidential compound mosque for Juma prayer. The bodies of the attackers who bluffed their way past the gate of the presidential place are lying on the ground under the presence of heavily armed government soldiers. Speaking on Mogadishu-based radio station, Federal Government of Somalia's National Security Minister Abdikarin Hussein Gulled said the security in and around the presidential palace remains tight. "The anti-peace elements attempted cowardly attack which was organized from Boondheere district side but frankly speaking, the attack was foiled and the security forces prevented it from happening," noted Gulled. Mogadishu's Huriwaa district have been a spot for clashes between Al Shabaab fighters and allied forces over the past nights. The militant group stepped up military-style ambushes, planned shootout and suicide bombings in Mogadishu, making the security situation extremely volatile. Speaking to the media, Al Shabaab operations spokesman Abdiasis Abu Muscab unveiled that special Al Shabaab fighters carried out a planned attack inside the presidential compound. "Our special forces today attacked the so-called Presidential palace and they killed senior government officials," said Al Shabaab spokesman. He didn't disclosed the casualty figures on their side as reports of many deaths are emerging from the scene of the attack. A journalist working for Mogadishu-based media house, Radio Kulmiye sustained major injuries to his upper body during the firefight between the attackers and Somali government soldiers. Ahmed Saed Ahmed is being treated at a hospital in Mogadishu, relatives and colleagues said. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |