SOMALIA: Explosions rock capital Mogadishu as government cracks down on weapons

Record ID: 353271

  • Title: SOMALIA: Explosions rock capital Mogadishu as government cracks down on weapons
  • Date: 10th July 2007
  • Summary: (AD1) MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (JULY 8, 2007) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MADINA HOSPITAL WOUNDED BEING WHEELED INTO HOSPITAL ON TROLLEYS LEGS OF PEOPLE WOUNDED IN GRENADE ATTACK INJURED MAN BEING TREATED
  • Embargoed: 25th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Somalia
  • Country: Somalia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACU2OZGCLKOWTA8THAK1TQLBH7
  • Story Text: Somali police and Ethiopian troops have mounted a campaign against weapons in Somali's capital city, Mogadishu. But civilians are bearing the brunt of the crackdown as a recent wave of guerrilla attacks shook the city over the weekend.
    At least five people died and two dozen were wounded on Sunday (July 8) when Somali troops opened fire after coming under attack from grenades in the Mogadishu market's narrow alleys.
    Witnesses said the victims were hit by bullets fired by the soldiers after the blast. The blast occurred as a number of government soldiers entered the premises of Shabelle Radio, searching the employees and security guards.
    "My son was wounded and another died after the explosion hit the place where they were playing football," said Sahra Haji, a resident of Mogadishu.
    The government says Bakara Market is a hide-out for insurgents, including remnants of the Islamist movement, who have increasingly adopted Iraq-style guerrilla tactics including assassinations, roadside blasts and suicide bombings.
    Several explosions and gunfire rocked Mogadishu this weekend as Ethiopian troops and Somali police stepped up a campaign to rid the embattled city of weapons.
    On Saturday (July 7) attackers hurled two grenades at Somali troops patrolling Mogadishu's busy Bakara market, wounding five people.
    Somalia's interim government -- the 14th attempt to set up central rule in Somalia since the 1991 fall of a military dictator -- is struggling to impose authority in the country.
    Since running a militant Islamist group out of Mogadishu and southern Somalia in an Ethiopian-backed offensive over the New Year, it has faced an Iraq-style insurgency with roadside blasts, assassinations and suicide bombings.
    The transitional government led by Abdullahi Yusuf has promised to stem the bloody insurgency and bring back stability to the war-ravaged Horn of African country.
    "These weapons were captured after a heavy operation and they include bombs which explode when they are connected to fuses, powder used to make explosives, AK47 rifles, mortars, and machine guns," said police spokesman, Colonel Yusuf Hussein Osman.
    An African Union (AU) peacekeeping force has yet to be fully deployed amid logistical problems. The transitional government is the 14th attempt to restore central governance and order to the troubled Horn of Africa country.
    On Monday (July 9) unknown attackers threw three grenades at Somali troops patrolling Mogadishu's sprawling Bakara Market. Residents said at least two soldiers were injured.
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