Villa Somalia, the Mogadishu headquarters and residence of a number of Somali government officials, was attacked today by terrorists.
The United States strongly condemned the attack against Villa Somalia, offering condolences to the victims and their families.
Al-Shabaab continues to make its presence felt, in the insecure conditions in Mogadishu.
Although the al-Shabaab attack caused damage, it failed because the military forces stopped the attackers and prevented further harm.
Three of the attackers were killed in the car park and one was captured.
Mustafa Duhulow, Somali Minister of Information provided these details of the attack: “The attackers approached [Villa Somalia] in a Noha people carrier vehicle, but were stopped at a checkpoint by Somali National Army personnel. At this point the attackers left their vehicle, and detonated a bomb in the car before attempting to penetrate an office complex that houses the offices of various Ministries. Fortunately, the prompt actions of the Somali National Army, assisted by AMISOM forces, quickly halted the attack. Of the four attackers, three were killed in the car park, and one was captured. Bomb disposal personnel have rendered safe a number of devices, including a suicide vest that one attacker was wearing that had failed to detonate.”
The U.S. Department of State said “the United States stands as a firm partner to the people of Somalia and the Somali government as they continue to forge their path towards stability.”
The United States Department of State says it continues to support the efforts of the Somali National Security Forces and the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), in their bid to expand security and stability in Somalia.
