| Description |
A group of al Shabaab fighters (unspecified numbers), some of whom were dressed in SNG uniforms, launched a complex attack against the Somali parliament. The attack started with a VBIED targeted the parliament building in Wardhiigleey District in the morning of 24/05. Reports indicate that a car laden with explosives and driven by a suicide bomber detonated in front of the parliament, followed by a group of al Shabaab fighters who managed to enter an unoccupied section of the building and engaged fighting with the security forces which lasted for about three to four hours. SNG various security agencies and AMISOM forces along with emergency medical personnel were deployed to the incident scene. Further reports suggest that the attackers were more than 10 men dressed in SNG military uniform with suicide vests. Nearly 150 MPs that were sitting in the Parliament for a session during the incident were safely evacuated from the building. More than 15 people were killed including the attackers, while at least 30 others -among them three Parliament members- were injured. Al Shabaab fighters took responsibility for the attack saying that their martyrs carried out the attack and killed many apostate MPs. In February al Shabaab fighters carried out an attack against Villa Somalia in the same manner. |
