Hiiraan Online
Saturday, April 2, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Fighters from the Al-Qaeda linked militant group in Somalia shot dead four security officers in two separate drive-by shooting attacks the Somali capital Saturday, the latest in series of attacks by the group which increased attacks across large parts in south and central Somalia, officials said.
The first attack occurred after attackers in a vehicle sprayed opened fire on a car carrying security officers who were allegedly hunting for suspected militants travelling in another car in Mogadishu’s Wadajr district, killing two, according to witnesses.
In another development, gunmen opened fire on another car carrying officers with the intelligence service in Bondhere distrct, killing two of them in the attack which adds to the mounting security challenges facing Somali government which is struggling to maintain security in the seaside city.
Al Shabab group claimed the responsibility for both attacks that heightened fears over the worsening security situation in and around the Somali capital.
Somalia’s security officials said investigations were underway as security forces were pursuing the attackers who escaped after the two attacks.
Despite a large security presence in the seaside capital, the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabab group continue attacks against the government and African Union forces.
The group often carries out drive by shootings, a favourite tactic for the group which stepped up its guerrilla attacks across the country.
The attacks underscore challenges facing the government which is trying to expand its rule across the country.
Somalia’s prime minister has vowed his government would oust militants from the areas still under their control before the 2016, a year the country proposed to hold presidential elections.