Mogadishu, Somalia – In the early hours of Thursday night, reports confirmed that multiple mortar rounds impacted the vicinity of the heavily fortified Halane camp in Mogadishu, a strategic area housing ATMIS troops and several Western diplomatic missions.
According to sources within Mogadishu, approximately five mortar shells landed near the camp’s perimeter, with two directly striking within the camp’s premises.
The attack resulted in significant damage, particularly to civilian residences near the camp, suggesting a breach in the security that typically shields this enclave.
Local residents and officials have not yet provided casualty figures, though the scale of the incident hints at potential civilian harm. Security forces have remained tight-lipped, offering no immediate comment on the attack or the assailants’ motives.
This silence reflects a pattern observed in recent days where such incidents, though increasingly frequent, receive scant official acknowledgment or response.
The Halane camp, a significant bastion in Mogadishu, shelters not only peacekeeping forces but also symbolizes international presence in the troubled capital.
The failure to prevent or effectively counter these attacks raises questions about the security apparatus’s effectiveness in Somalia’s ongoing battle against insurgency.
As investigations commence, the international community watches closely, concerned over the implications for peacekeeping efforts and civilian safety in Somalia. This incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing Mogadishu, where despite the presence of ATMIS and robust security measures, mortar attacks continue to threaten stability and civilian life.
