The coordinated assault was the latest in a surge of attacks by Islamist insurgents, who last month declared a new, stepped-up effort to oust the country's weak government. The barrage took place about 40 minutes after Somalia's president flew out of the country.The Somali government and the 7,000-man African Union force that protects Somalia's weak government gave slightly differing accounts of the attack, though they agreed on the broad outlines.After the suicide car bomber exploded at the front gate, 500 yards (meters) from the terminal, between two and four suicide bombers exited a second vehicle and battled security forces.At least two of the suicide bombers — who were wearing Somali military uniforms — forced their way into the airport grounds and ran toward the terminal."Both were brought to a halt within 200 meters (yards) of the terminal building where they exploded their IED (improvised explosive device) vests," the African Union said in a statement.Somali officials condemned the attack on the eve of the Muslim religious festival of Eid, but said they had anticipated a high-profile assault around this time. Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Two soldiers with the African Union force and four Somali police officers were killed, said Maj. Barigye Bahoku, the spokesman for the AU force. The Somali government statement said three civilians also were killed. Officials indicated that up to five attackers took part in the assault, and that all five died.A female beggar, Dahira Kheyrow, said two of her fellow beggars were among those killed. She said she fell to the ground after the car bomb went off."I stood up and tried to run again. Gunfire began and there was another vehicle. All I could see were two of my fellow beggars lying in a pool of blood. Their faces were burnt beyond recognition," Kheyrow said.No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attack was likely carried out by al-Shabab, Somalia's most dangerous militant group.
Late last month al-Shabab militants stormed a Mogadishu hotel favored by lawmakers and killed 32 people, including four parliamentarians. In July, al-Shabab masterminded twin bombings in Uganda's capital during the World Cup final, attacks that killed 76 people.Al-Shabab recently declared a new, stepped-up campaign to overthrow Somalia's government and install the harsh, ultraconservative form of Sharia law that it practices across Somalia. Militant veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts help train al-Shabab fighters, one of the reasons the sophistication of its attacks has risen in recent months
bombers get 72 virgins for carrying out their terror operation last days of Ramadan .
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Mogadishu Airport attack foiled by amisom
(TF.SF)Al Shabab today launched a suicide attack on Mogadishu International Airport, but were foiled by AMISOM troops manning the main entrance. At around 2.15pm local time, two vehicles and around 5 insurgents attempted to breach the airport defences.
The first vehicle exploded at the airport entrance, around 500 metres from the airport terminal. Sadly, two AMISOM sentries were killed in the explosion and a further three wounded.The second vehicle, following immediately behind the first, was halted and did not explode.Two suicide bombers, dressed in TFG combat uniforms, ran from the vehicles firing small arms. Both managed to run at speed through the gates, under fire from AMISOM soldiers.Both were brought to a halt within 200 metres of the terminal building where they exploded their IED vests. It is understood that at least one civilian, an employee of the local airline African Express, was killed in the incident.The full extent of injured and killed is not yet clear.The airport defences held tight and the attack was quickly condemned as a failure on the part of the extremists by the Force Commander, General Nathan Mugisha.The airport was quickly locked down and cleared so that a full investigation can begin.The attack comes on the eve of Eid. The airport is a high profile target and an attack on the airport had been anticipated. TFG Minister of Information had only yesterday warned of such an Al Shabab spectacular as Ramadan draws to a close.AMISOM Force Spokesman, Major Barige Ba-Hoku, said:“The Airport is a very high profile target and we always expect an attempt of sabotage here. This attack was in vain and will not deter us from our mission.“AMISOM is here to protect the Transitional Federal institutions and to protect the Somali people. We will continue to do this.”Long War Journal
Bill Roggio Long War Journal
African Union troops repel Shabaab suicide assault on Mogadishu airport
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