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Security beefed up in Mogadishu amid surge in terror attacks

Xinhua, April 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Somalia authorities have mounted heavy security checks in Mogadishu following the attack at the education headquarters last week and the Tuesday attack on a busy restaurant all which claimed at least 30 lives.

Police spokesman Qasim Ahmed Roble told Xinhua Wednesday the measures were in line with the government's effort in ensuring security in Mogadishu and the rest of the country.

"We are checking all public transport and private vehicles in order to avert any security risks,'' Roble said in Mogadishu.

However, the checks have caused heavy traffic in the city and residents have also complained for the inconveniences.

Farah Nor, a Somalia University student, told Xinhua the security checks are causing a lot of traffic jam and costing them much time to and from school.

"We appreciate the efforts by our security forces, but the way they are doing it is not right. We spend so much time on traffic nowadays and some roads are closed. I arrive late at the university and also going back home is difficult,'' said Nor.

The spokesman has however called for patience from members of the public noting that the checks were a routine measure aimed at securing the city.

"I appeal to the members of the public to bear with and cooperate with us in making this city safe," said Roble.

He added that the recent explosion at the education ministry, the attack on UN staff in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and the Tuesday attack on a restaurant in Mogadishu is a cause of concern for authorities and they are not taking chances in ensuring the security of the general public.

Farah Ali, a security expert, in Mogadishu said the daring attacks by Al-Shabaab on government installations and businesses in Mogadishu is an indication of a fragile security situation which must be taken seriously by the government.

"These attacks point to a case of infiltration of Al-Shabaab elements into the society. This is so because despite heavy security presence in the city including that of AMISOM police and military, Al-Shabaab is still able to mount such attacks which claim lives," Ali observed.

The Africa Union backed force AMISOM in collaboration with the Somali National Army has made significant strides in pushing Al- Shabaab out of many towns in the country and killed several of its leaders. Endi