Civilian fatalities increase in Al-Shabaab rampage in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants have increased attacks mostly targeting innocent civilians across the country, despite an active campaign in several parts of Somalia to completely degrade the group, which controls rural central and southern Somalia.

For the last week, a report published indicates, at least 30 civilians have been killed in separate Al-Shabaab attacks within Somalia, leaving 57 others critically wounded. The Al-Shabaab militants took responsibility for most of the attacks which left civilians dead.

Last week [18th and 23rd October], Al-Shabaab militants targeted various parts mostly in HirShabelle and Jubaland where they killed dozens of people using car bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices [IED], which caused irreparable levels of damage.

One of the attacks was coordinated by the group on October 19th when it unleashed a twin bomb on two key bridges in Hirshabelle’s Hiiraan region resulting in at least 21 deaths. This was one of the worst attacks targeting civilians in recent months within Somalia.

At Jalalaqsi, the militants waged an attack near an African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] base manned by Djiboutian soldiers, leaving the mayor and District Commissioner dead. Others who died in the attack include AU peacekeepers and civilians.

In Bulobarde, two motorcycles loaded with explosives were driven onto the town bridge, when one militant jumped off while the other detonated the bombs, dying in the blast. Six others, including four civilians, were killed, and the bridge was partially destroyed.

At Tawakal Hotel in Kismayo, the militants killed three people as Jubaland Security Forces struggled to contain them for several hours. Most of these attacks are believed to be retaliation to the operation being coordinated by the Somali National Army and other partners across Somalia.

Data taken by AOAV in 2022 so far indicate that so far, civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Somalia stand now at 721 [247 killed, 474 injured]. This is the highest number in recent years, an indication that Al-Shabaab still remains a major threat to Somalia's quest for stability.

GAROWE ONLINE