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Somalia: UN condemns terrorist attack near Mogadishu airport

A street scene in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
AU/UN IST/Stuart Price
A street scene in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

Somalia: UN condemns terrorist attack near Mogadishu airport

The United Nations chief and his envoy for Somalia have denounced today's terrorist attack in the vicinity of Mogadishu International Airport that killed at least a dozen people.

The United Nations chief and his envoy for Somalia have denounced today’s terrorist attack in the vicinity of Mogadishu International Airport that killed at least a dozen people.

Condemning the attack in a statement attributed to his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reaffirmed that “such criminal acts will not diminish the strong resolve of the United Nations to continue supporting the people and Government of Somalia in their work to build peace and stability in the country.”

The statement said that the Secretary-General expressed sincere condolences to the friends and families of the deceased, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

According to the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), suicide bombers detonated two vehicles laden with explosives near the perimeter of the airport enclave this morning. No UN personnel were among the confirmed dead.

In a statement to the press, Michael Keating, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms,” noting that “a ruthless attack” was carried out once again by the Al-Shabaab insurgent group.

“The overwhelming majority of Somalis have rejected such terrorist tactics and the use of violence to achieve political objectives,” he said.

“This horrific incident is a fresh example of the extremists’ desperate attempts to disrupt political progress” but neither the Somali authorities nor the UN will be deterred from moving forward, he stressed, noting that limited franchise elections are due to be held later this year.

Also in the statement, Mr. Keating, on behalf of the entire UN community in Somalia, extended heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.