Somali MP slams civilian deaths after security operations

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—Somali MP Abdirizak Mohamed has condemned in the strongest possible terms the multiple civilian casualties, following security operations in the capital of Mogadishu.

Hon. Mohamed says the security forces had killed at least 4 unarmed civilian people in Nasteha neighborhood during security operations.

“The operations caused more panic as the local residents, many of whom were hunkered down in their homes while the operations continued”, he said.

He accused the security soldiers of involving in the beatings of civilians and killing of at least 4 people during the operations.

Somali Police and security soldiers have been visible in some of the main street junctions in Mogadishu, searching vehicles and people.

There was no comment from local authorities over the civilian targets claims.

These operations came as Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire ordered the country’s military commanders to flush out of Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab.

There has been an upsurge of violence in the seaside city of two million which government officials blame on Islamic insurgents.

The Al-Qaeda linked Shabaab was pushed out of the Somali capital in 2011 — and subsequently other towns and cities — by soldiers from the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Somali has been without a central authority since the overthrow of the late ruler Mohamed Siyad Barre in 1991 when the country plunged into chaos and lawlessness.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com