Somalia’s Federal government officials have said that security had been stepped up in and around the…
Somalia’s Federal government officials have said that security had been stepped up in and around the Somali capital in the run-up to the holy month of Ramadan.
On Wednesday, hundreds of Security forces were paraded in the streets of Mogadishu, prepared prevent any attacks by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, which in the previous Ramadans managed to carry out deadly attacks in the city.
Billions of Muslims around the world are marking this year’s Ramadan which started on Thursday with a month-long fasting, in fulfillment of one of the most revered pillars of the Islamic religion – Fasting.
To secure the capital, checkpoints at the entrances to the city were reinforced by high numbers of officers, with additional forces deployed to public places, said a senior security official.
“A tightened security plan has been worked out to secure people in the streets and give citizens a feeling of safety while they are fasting,’’ said the official.
Security officials have asked the public to comply with and assist their efforts as much as possible. This includes reporting any suspicious behavior that could be related to insurgent activities.
Though al-Shabaab was pushed out of key towns in South and Central Somalia, the group has been able to hit high-profile targets in Mogadishu’s heavily fortified areas, including the national courts, the UN compound, the Turkish embassy, and popular gathering places.
Earlier on Thursday, Police in the Central town of Adado foiled a planned al-Shabaab suicide attacks against delegates attending a Political conference. Officials said they had killed four militants who planned to carry out the car bomb attack.
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