Somalia: Mortar attack on Halane Camp

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:00 am

Reports from Mogadishu say that a number of mortar shells were fired at the Halane military base where the meeting between the heads of States and the federal government is scheduled to take place. No casualties were reported.

The artillery attack on the Halane compound comes as a meeting between the Federal Government, regional administrations and the Benadir region is set to take place soon at the Aficion tent near the Halane compound.

The meeting, organized by the international community, is expected to be attended by leaders of the Jubbaland and Puntland regional administrations, who have previously refused to attend a conference convened by President Farmajo.

Earlier, the leaders of Jubaland and Puntland administrations issued a joint statement saying that the security of Halane camp, which the government said would be used for a conference on electoral issues, was unreliable. The presidents of Jubaland and Puntland have said they do not trust the outgoing president and the security of the conference venue. They suggested that the conference center be guarded by Amizom forces.

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Meanwhile, reports indicate that up to six mortar shells landed in Halane camp, which could hamper the scheduled meeting. The government has not yet commented on the incident and officials from various administrations are in Mogadishu. The bodyguards of the Jubaland president arrived in Mogadishu this morning and are expected to arrive in Mogadishu this afternoon.

However, acts of insecurity continue without the government developing a plan to protect public safety.