The Somali authorities thwarted a terrorist plan with explosive belts belonging to the “Al-Shabaab” movement, and prevented a massacre that almost killed dozens of people. Today (Monday), the Somali intelligence announced that it thwarted a plan to carry out terrorist attacks by a network affiliated with the “Al-Shabaab” movement targeting the Peace Park in the Wabri neighborhood of the capital, Mogadishu. The Somali Ministry of Information stated in a statement that the operation took place on the sixth of May, after explosive belts were seized while trying to bring them into the park. The statement added that the intelligence service succeeded in apprehending members of the terrorist network who were planning to storm the park after carrying out the bombings. The ministry stated that the Somali intelligence was monitoring the movements of the terrorists and their preparations for the plot, which led to the professional thwarting of the criminal attempt.
The statement did not reveal the names of the cell, its number, or any other information, but the Somali media published pictures of the explosive materials that were seized.
It is noteworthy that the Somali security forces have recently succeeded in controlling the security of the capital, Mogadishu, and reducing incidents related to bombings and assassinations.
The Peace Park is one of the main parks in the Somali capital, which is widely accepted by the population to spend leisure time and vacations, and it is a commercial gathering owned by the private sector, and it is located near the presidential palace. The thwarting of this terrorist scheme comes after the Somali government announced the reduction of Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks to about 70%.
