Fifteen people have been killed after Islamist militants launched their first major assault for years on a UN compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
At least two suicide bombers struck the biggest UN base in the city, which was then stormed by gunmen who fought security forces inside for about two hours.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore condemned the attack. He said Ireland had a long and distinguished history of humanitarian engagement in Somalia. “During my visit to Mogadishu last summer, I witnessed first-hand the professionalism and dedication of the UN humanitarian and security staff who work tirelessly in such difficult conditions.”
The first explosion occurred at the front gate of the compound, which lies on the main road from Mogadishu airport, at about 11.30am yesterday, witnesses said. Foreign security staff, local guards and insurgent fighters were among the dead, the Somali government said. The interior minister, Abdikarim Hussein Guled, added: "So far we have confirmed four UNDP [UN development programme] foreign staff who were responsible for security, four Somali guards and seven militants."
Minutes later there was another detonation followed by gunfire, which lasted for about two hours. One Somali national working for the UN said he saw from his office six uniformed men with small guns entering the compound. Three of them were killed by the Somali security forces and African Union special forces.
Suspect apprehended
The al-Shabaab militant group said on its Twitter feed shortly after the attack that its fighters "are now in control of the entire compound and the battle is still ongoing".
But yesterday afternoon General Mukhtar Mohamed of the Somali police held a press conference to say the security forces had succeeded in liberating the compound. At least 20 people, including civilians and security forces, were wounded in the battle. He also confirmed that the police apprehended one suspect in connection with the attack.
The main road to the airport was open only to military and emergency services vehicles. The impact of the explosion and the bullet damage could be seen on the walls and front gate of the UN building.
A pro-Islamist group website said the attack was conducted by a special team from al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda.
The compound is used by UN agencies including Unicef, WHO and UNDP. They have been relocating staff from Nairobi to Mogadishu after the election of the new Somali president last year. The top UN official in Somalia, Nicholas Kay, who works in the building, was not on the premises at the time of the attack. – (Guardian service)