Somali government declares major security crackdown in Mogadishu

The government has announced a major security crackdown in Mogadishu starting tonight to flush out Al-Shabaab militants barely two days after the group launched two attacks in the city killing over 30 people and injuring more than 50 others.

Briefing the media after a security meeting, Prime Minister Hassan Khaire and Security Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow said the security forces are under instructions to launch a massive security operation in the city to rid Mogadishu of all terror elements.

The two also directed the security forces to ‘deal with the public in a humane way and the terrorists brutally’. Security forces were also warned against wrangling or clashes between the various units but instead the leaders called for collaboration and coordinated approach. “We have also asked the security forces to obey their commanders and take instructions without fail,” Islow said.

Al-Shabaab militants carried out twin attacks at the city Friday targeting the presidential palace and the intelligence headquarters. All the militants were killed by security forces.

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