Somali Forces Kill 2 Al-Shabaab Fighters at Mogadishu Airport

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Two al Shabaab fighters were killed and at least three police officers wounded in an al-Shabaab attack on the international airport in the capital Mogadishu.

The attackers used small weapons and hand grenades as they tried to infiltrate the Aden Adde International Airport.

“They tried to force their way into the airport but the security forces killed them,” said a local police officer, requesting anonymity.

Several security personnel have been injured in the attack, he added.

The al-Shabaab group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It said the target was the Halane military compound inside the airport that houses forces of the UN and African Union peacekeeping missions, as well as diplomatic missions of several Western countries including the US.

The Somali military has recently ramped up operations against al-Shabaab, which is aiming to topple the central government in the country.​​​​​​​