Hiiraan Online
Saturday February 24, 201
NISA-manned checkpoint at the Airport Road
Mogadishu (HOL) - At least one government soldier and a civilian have been killed and two others seriously wounded after African Union troops opened fire on a NISA-manned checkpoint in the heart of Mogadishu on Friday evening, Abdulaziz Ali Ibrahim "Xildhiban", adviser of the Internal Security and Spokesman of the Ministry, told HOL.
A convoy of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) marked armoured vehicles approached a NISA checkpoint at the KM4 roundabout and attempted to force their way through the checkpoint. A gunfight ensued and one Somali government soldier and civilian were killed..
The AMISOM soldiers reportedly used heavy machine gun artillery mounted on top of their armoured vehicles during the brief skirmish.
AMISOM troops have closed all roads leading the airport where they are based.
Capt. Aidarus, Deputy Director of Aden Adde Airport has confirmed that the roadblocks have led to flight disruptions.
AMISOM troops have been deployed to Somalia since 2007 to defend the weak internationally-backed government against Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab.
AMISOM is currently implementing a UN Security Council Resolution that was passed in August 2017 that authorizes a troop draw-down and transferring security responsibilities to the Somali government.
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Francisco Madeira, said Somali security forces are not yet adequately equipped to take over national security and that AU troops are needed until 2021.