MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – The United Nations (UN) has “strongly condemned” the terrorist attacks in Galkayo and in the Somali capital on Monday.
Over 30 people were killed and more than 20 others were wounded in separate attacks in Galkayo and Mogadishu.
Among those killed in the attacks are a controversial cleric and his followers in Galkayo town.
In a statement, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the head of the UN mission (UNSOM), said no legitimate political agenda can be advanced through the indiscriminate killing of innocent children, women, and men.
“Today’s attacks on civilians in Mogadishu and Galkayo demonstrate the disregard of violent extremists for the sanctity of human life”, he said, adding that the UN “stands with the people and government of Somalia in their rejection of terrorism.”
Al-Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for the early morning assault on a compound belonging to Sufi Muslim cleric, Abdiweli Ali Elmi, in the Southern part of Galkayo.
Mr. Ali Elmi had received death threats from the jihadist group in the past.
In the early afternoon, a car bomb was detonated at a busy market in Wadajir district of Mogadishu.
A suspect has been arrested by Somali security forces after Mogadishu attack.
Though Al-Shabaab has been largely forced-out of Mogadishu and other towns and cities, it continues to remain a potent threat, launching frequent and deadly attacks in the capital and elsewhere.
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