Mogadishu, Somalia – At least five people, including children, were wounded in a series of landmine blasts in Galmudug village, Garasbaley district, over the past two nights, according to local residents.
Witnesses reported that six explosives were deliberately planted outside residences equipped with CCTV cameras. Neither the Garasbaley district administration nor Mogadishu’s security officials have issued a statement regarding the attacks.
These incidents come as tensions rise in Mogadishu due to a government initiative to install thousands of security cameras across the city to track al-Shabaab activities and enhance security. However, this move has raised alarms among business owners, fearing backlash from the militant group.
Traders have confirmed receiving threats from al-Shabaab, with the militants promising to destroy the cameras and warning of reprisals for compliance with the government’s mandate. Conversely, authorities have cautioned that tampering with the cameras would result in penalties.
In apparent retaliation to the surveillance increase, al-Shabaab has intensified its attacks on commercial areas and traders in Mogadishu. Despite the threats, some residents endorse the CCTV project, viewing it as essential for improving safety in the capital.
HORN LIFE
