Somalia: Al-Shabaab suicide bombers die in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Two suspected Al-Shabaab suicide bombers died in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu on Wednesday, authorities said, adding that the victims were planning to plant explosives in one of the busy streets within the city, in a would-be devastating attack within the country.

According to the police, the two suspected Al-Shabaab suicide bombers
were instantly killed by the explosives they were transporting in a tuk-tuk while a third suspect was apprehended. The suspect is in police custody undergoing interrogation, authorities said.

Police said the militants planned to attack a business Center in the Black Sea area which installed CCTV cameras. The area is usually crowded by traders and customers and the plan, had it succeeded, would have taken many innocent lives.

Somali security branches say businesses should install CCTV cameras in their shops and stores to boost security, a move reportedly opposed by al-Shabaab. In recent days the group carried out attacks targeting stores that installed CCTV cameras.

These attacks created some concern among traders who say they are being threatened by anonymous callers believed to be al-Shabaab members who are telling them not to install CCTVs. The Al-Shabaab militants have for a long time targeted Mogadishu, the vibrant capital city.

Mogadishu has been the hub for relative peace and stability due to increased surveillance by security teams, particularly the newly trained Somali National Army [SNA] troops. The soldiers are preparing to take security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

By December 2024, the ATMIS contingent is set to completely withdraw from the country in line with the Somali Transition Plan. Currently, the second phase of ATMIS withdrawal has been activated, with 3,000 soldiers expected to leave the country.

GAROWE ONLINE