Somalia: Two militants, 1 police officer killed in Mogadishu shootout

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Two Al-Shabab militants and one police officer were killed in a brief shootout in Mogadishu, the Somali capital on Monday morning, 8th July, Garowe Online reports.

The clash began after extremists armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades in a speeding vehicle have tried to force their way through a checkpoint manned by the soldiers at Seipianno Street of Hodan district.

A witness said the Al-Shabab members opened fire which was retaliated leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire which resulted in the killing of two militants, adding that a third attacker managed to flee the scene.

The attackers are said to have been heading to Mogadishu downtown to carry out a major attack on an undisclosed target, but, the police officers were praised for their brave actions to eliminate the danger.

The attack was foiled hours after the Somali Police Force intercepted a VBIED at a nearby area.

The Explosion was reported to have killed two people and injured at least five, including three soldiers while it has damaged several buildings near Digfeer junction, including a hospital.

Somalia’s Ministry of security says dozens of militants with links to the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab group have detained in Mogadishu routine operations over the last months.

Since losing large swathes of territory to Somali and AU peacekeepers, the group frequently targets high-profile areas of Mogadishu, including hotels, military checkpoints, and areas near the presidential palace.

Mounting pressure is growing on Somalia’s military to assume full responsibility for the country’s security as the 22,000-strong African Union force, AMISOM, which has been supporting the fragile government since 2007, started withdrawing in 2018 and will finalize their mission by the end of 2020. 

GAROWE ONLINE