Mortar shells rock Mogadishu ahead of President Mohamud’s inauguration

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Al-Shabaab launched an overnight attack against the capital, Mogadishu a few hours to the inauguration of the country’s 10th head of state.

In a bid to register its presence and instil fear into the new government, the deadly terror group fired several mortar rounds towards Mogadishu airport where the inauguration ceremony is expected to take place today.

According to residents, the shelling which took place at around 2am East African time, saw up to seven shells hit neighborhoods in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district, next to Aden Adde International Airport, resulting in casualties.

Some of the shells hit homes of civilians who were asleep at the time, injuring eight members of the same family, as well as a member of another family.

Wednesday’s night attack came even after the whole city had been put under lockdown from 10pm to 5am, with security officers on high alert as the country played host to a number of foreign dignitaries who had arrived ahead of President Mohamud’s inauguration on Thursday.

Mogadishu is today expected to be home to presidents, prime ministers and other high-flying officials who have come to witness President Mohamud’s inauguration, and it is hoped that the process will go on without hitches as the country’s security apparatus puts more effort in preventing another attack.