AU mission launches probe into shooting incident at Somalia airport

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said on Tuesday that it has launched investigations into a foiled attempt to breach security protocols at Madina gate, one of the main entrances to the international airport in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The ATMIS said the Sunday incident involved an unidentified man who attempted to gain access to the heavily fortified base camp which houses ATMIS and United Nations offices, without undergoing the mandatory security screening.

It said a vigilant soldier on duty promptly approached the individual, requesting compliance with standard security procedures, including passing through the security scanner for routine security checks.

"Unfortunately, the individual declined to cooperate and became violent, brandished a knife, and attacked the soldier stabbing him three times on the stomach, the neck, and the shoulder," ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

It said another soldier stationed at the access point killed the individual responsible for the attack.

The ATMIS commended the swift actions of the soldiers involved in this incident, saying the soldier who sustained serious injuries during this incident was evacuated to the hospital and is currently receiving intensive medical care.

"Both ATMIS and the Somali security forces are actively conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident," the AU mission said.

The al-Shabab extremist group regularly carries out bombings across Somalia, which is backed by the UN peacekeeping troops.

Source: Xinhua