City mayor announces house-house operation amid increased attacks

Security forces in Mogadishu will kick off house-house search operations in a bid to flush out militants amid a deteriorating security situation in the city, Mogadishu Mayor Abdirahman Yarisow has said.

The city mayor who also doubles up as Banaadir region governor told journalists the prevailing security situation in the capital necessitated the operations but called on the public to be patient and collaborate with security forces.

“We feel the pressure for house to house search in the capital but we want people to be patient and our administration will offer services such as transport, and ambulance for the vulnerable that will be affected by the new measures to safeguard the city,” said Yarisow.

The mayor did not specify when the operations will start. However major city roads remained closed this morning with residents forced to walk to their various destinations.

The announcement comes in the midst of increased Al-Shabaab attacks which have claimed dozens of lives and destroyed property. A count by Goobjoog News indicates 10 attacks took place in Mogadishu and its environs killing 50 people and injuring 57 others in the month of March alone.

February also saw deadly attacks in the city with the biggest one along Maka al Mukarama hotel killing 25 people and injuring 131 others.

Al-Shabaab launched a major offensive in the city March 28 along Maka al Mukarama street killing 21 people. Another 32 people were injured.