Somali security forces killed two al-Shabab terrorists in a foiled attack Wednesday noon on a military base near the heavily fortified Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, officials said.
Police force commissioner Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar told the media that the terrorists had tried to force their way into the Somali National Army (SNA) base located near the airport but their efforts were thwarted by the vigilant security forces.
Hijar said the two militants disguised themselves as airport staff and reached the first checkpoint for screening people and vehicles heading into the airport before starting shooting security guards.
“The two terrorists who were armed with pistols made themselves look like the airport employees and launched the attack at the Marine gate which is an entry checkpoint to the airport of Mogadishu,” Hijar said.
He said vigilant security forces manning the facility responded and killed the two of the terrorists before they could gain entry into the military base near Halane base camp, which houses AMISOM, United Nations and other international agencies.
Witnesses said heavy fighting broke out and sounds of gunfire could be heard from the area where presidential elections are soon scheduled to take place.
Mahad Salad, a member of the Somali Federal Parliament, said that the attack disrupted both domestic and international flights, saying that all flights were canceled.
The militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, noting it was targeting Western missions located around the area.
