Mogadishu, (Idilnews) — Militants believed to be members of the Al-Shabab group detonated explosives at several businesses in Mogadishu on Saturday, targeting shops that had complied with the government’s directive to install surveillance cameras.
The attacks occurred in the Tabeleha Sheikh Ibrahim neighborhood of Garas Baley, where the affected businesses had recently installed CCTV cameras as ordered by the federal government. The Somali government had mandated the installation of video surveillance systems as part of its efforts to improve security and monitor criminal activities in the capital.
Al-Shabab an extremist militant group linked to al-Qaeda, has previously issued warnings to traders in Mogadishu, particularly in major commercial hubs such as Bakara Market, Suuq Ba’ad and Hamar Wayne markets. The group demanded that traders close their shops and business centers in defiance of government orders.
The recent bombings come amid ongoing security difficulties for leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, which has faced setbacks in ground battles against Al-Shabab in the Galmudug and Hirshabelle regions. However, the government has achieved some short-term victories with the supported by U.S. AFRICOM drones, which have been instrumental in neutralizing key Al-Shabaab threats.
Al-Shabab Militants Bomb Shops in Mogadishu Over Surveillance Orders
By 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆