World News | Three Police Officers Injured as Al-Shabab Gunmen Attack Somalia Airport
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. At least three police officers were injured when a gunfire rang out here on Wednesday as Islamic extremists attacked the international airport.
Mogadishu (Somalia), Mar 23 (AP) At least three police officers were injured when a gunfire rang out here on Wednesday as Islamic extremists attacked the international airport.
Somali security forces repulsed the assault, killing two armed attackers, Somali Police Commissioner Gen. Abdi Hassan Hijar told the Somali National News Agency.
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The attackers, armed with pistols and grenades, were “pretending” to be airport workers when they launched the attack, he said.
The two gunmen attempted to force their way into a military base within the airport but were thwarted, Somali police spokesman Maj. Abdifitah Adan told state media.
Al-Shabab, Somalia's Islamic extremist rebels, claimed responsibility for the attack inside Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport, saying its fighters attempted to invade a compound that is home to several diplomatic missions.
A heavy cloud of black smoke rose into the sky after a stray bullet hit a fuel tank near a checkpoint where al-Shabaab fighters exchanged fire with security personnel, eyewitness Awil Abdi told AP.
All domestic and international flights had been suspended due to the attack, said a statement from airport authorities.
Al-Shabab frequently stages deadly attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.
The rebels are fighting to impose strict Shariah law in Somalia and oppose the federal government in Mogadishu and the presence of foreign peacekeepers in the Horn of Africa nation. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)