Al-Shabaab targets mosque in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab militants on Friday targeted a mosque in Somalia, the latest in the wave of attacks which have been activated by the militants across the Horn of Africa nation, which has been struggling with instability for the last decade.

The attack, reports show, targeted a mosque in Daru-nimca area within Middle Shabelle, with photos from the site showing that the building was completely dismantled. The militants took responsibility for the devastating attack.

According to state media, nobody was injured during the attack, but the impact was huge and equally destructive. The attack was the first in as many days following vigilance which was activated a few days ago in the country to neutralize the militants.

“Al Shabab had previously targeted a large mosque in the Bula-Burde district of the Hiraan region, the Qayyib mosque, and the Bahdo mosque in the Galgaduud region. However, the security forces protected the mosques. Other mosques in their areas were closed off to prevent people from gathering and learning,” as reported by SNTV.

The group has been targeting innocent civilians, security forces and senior government officials in the past, leaving questions about the country's preparedness in taking over security responsibilities. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] is set to drawdown troops in the country.

Somalia is set for also initiate the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in the country. The Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but the government troops have managed to reclaim several areas so far.

GAROWE ONLINE