Condemnable act

The poor people of Somalia have been facing deadly militant attacks frequently for many years, the world should address the serious lawlessness in Somalia (“Several killed in militant-claimed blast in Somali capital,” Jan. 13, Gulf Today website).

The blast outside the international airport in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu in which several people were killed and many are injured is highly condemnable. The car bomb explosion has killed at least eight people and wounding nine others, a local doctor said. The Al Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting “white officials” passing by.  Dr Abdulkadir Adam with the Medina hospital told the media about the death toll. Witnesses at the scene said a passing UN convoy appeared to be the target in the blast near a checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified airport, but the UN mission said there were no UN personnel or contractors in the convoy. It took place only days after Somali leaders had agreed on a new timetable for long-delayed elections in the troubled Horn of Africa country. In Somalia there is always political instability that produces militant groups, there is an urgent need for political stability in the country so the leaders of Somalia can work for the betterment of its people.

Aziz Khaskheli
By email