Somalia: Suspected Al Shabaab gunmen carry out grenade attack in Bossaso

BOSSASO, Somalia, March 2, 2015 (Garowe Online)- Amid intense dispute over the sacking of top security commanders, suspected Al Shabaab gunmen carried out an attack on army patrol in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso on Monday evening, Garowe Online reports.

Officials and witnesses said that militants hurdled a hand grenade at soldiers manning a security checkpoint in front of Bossaso municipal offices.

Assailants managed to flee and no casualty figures have been reported as of yet.

Last week, heavily armed militants raided the residence of Bari governor, Abdisamad Mohamed Galan, killing a bodyguard and wounding another.

On January 15, gunmen attacked a security checkpoint near Ramada hotel in Bossaso. Officials confirmed the death of a soldier while another was wounded in the pre-planned assault.

Police officer died and two troop transport vehicles were destroyed when a rampage by Al Shabaab fighters targeted Balade police station on February 7.

Analysts believe that President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali’s administration is languishing in watershed moments.

8-member panel of UN experts accused Ali of being reluctant on the fight against Islamist insurgents in the rugged terrain of Galgala in a confidential report released in October 2014.

As a result of intense military campaign in central and southern Somalia, Al Shabaab militants are said to have migrated northwards towards Golis Mountain Ranges. 

GAROWE ONLINE