Somalia's president escaped an opportunistic attack by Islamic militants Wednesday as deadly fighting erupted in the center of Mogadishu, officials said.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was returning from a trip to Yemen when insurgents began firing mortars, resulted in a clash with African Union peacekeepers, the president's director of communications told CNN.
"The Islamic insurgents were just guessing the arrival of the president so they started firing mortars, just to send a kind of their regular violent message that they are around," said Abdulkadir Barnamij.
The heaviest of the fighting was centered on Maka Al Mukarama, which links the airport to the presidential palace but it is heavily guarded by forces from the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Meanwhile Ali Muse, head of an emergency group in the city, confirmed to CNN that three people died and 16 others were wounded in the fighting.
"The casualty (number) is small because people deserted the streets soon after the fighting started," said Ali Muse.
Source: CNN
Bank of Ghana mops up GH¢17.24bn in major liquidity tightening move
NDC marks 34 years of political influence and democratic governance
UTAG threatens nationwide strike over delayed book and research allowances
808 presidential staffers on payroll as Parliament receives annual staffing repo...
24-Hour Economy cannot succeed without data — GSS tells Parliament
Captain Smart declares bid for NDC parliamentary slot in Gomoa West
24-Hour Economy will promote prostitution – NPP Chairman warns government
US, Iran exchange airstrikes after Trump accuses Tehran of downing army helicopt...
BoG's $260 million building: It was Ato Forson who first proposed 'sell-and-leas...
'We have to do soul-searching' — Mahama orders nationwide flood assessment
