SOMALIA: Civillians killed in an attempted mortar attack on U.S. congressman in Mogadishu

Record ID: 744576

  • Title: SOMALIA: Civillians killed in an attempted mortar attack on U.S. congressman in Mogadishu
  • Date: 14th April 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Somali) ABDIRAHMAN HARSI, MOGADISHU RESIDENT, SAYING: "I was in that house when the mortar landed. I was going about my business in the house. As you see I have sustained these light injuries."
  • Embargoed: 29th April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Somalia
  • Country: Somalia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAINHCRGGZZQMGBCV7ZP5SR7AF
  • Story Text: Somalia's militant Islamist rebel group al Shabaab said on Monday (April 13) it was behind mortars fired at U.S. congressman Donald Payne as he left the anarchic Horn of Africa nation after a rare visit by a U.S.
    politician.
    Three Somali civilians were killed and 25 injured in the attacks.
    Witnesses say some civilians were caught in return fire from Somali forces and African Union troops.
    Somalia's capital Mogadishu is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. U.S. officials have avoided travel to the battle-scarred city due to constant fighting between factions there.
    Police said one mortar landed at the airport when Payne's plane was due to fly and five others after he left.
    U.S. foreign policy toward the Horn of Africa nation has been haunted by a disastrous battle in Mogadishu in 1993 that killed 18 U.S. soldiers.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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