From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Fri Sep 19 2008 - 16:01:02 EDT
Somalia: 12 Killed As Insurgents Rain Mortars On Mogadishu Airport
Garowe Online (Garowe)
19 September 2008
At least 12 people were killed Friday in Somalia's violent capital, Mogadishu, after the Islamist group al Shabaab launched mortars at Aden Adde International Airport, Radio Garowe reported.
Another 35 people, mostly civilians, were wounded as insurgents and Somali government troops exchanged shells across Mogadishu's Howlwadaag district, according to medical contacts.
A military plane transporting goods to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers, who safeguard the airport, landed safely but attracted at least eight mortars that targeted the international airport.
Capt. Barigye Bahoku, the AMISOM spokesman, confirmed to the media that insurgent mortars targeted the airport but caused no damage.
Al Shabaab guerrillas issued a public warning earlier this week threatening to attack Mogadishu's airport if any airplane attempts to land. But al Shabaab's decision has been opposed by Islamic Courts officers, who are reportedly holding private talks to ease tensions. [Full story]
'Revoked'
Somali airline companies have not landed at Aden Adde International Airport since Monday, with various sources saying the airlines are avoiding al Shabaab's September 16 threat.
But Somalia's interim government is very unhappy about the airliners' decision. On Friday, Mogadishu airport director Mohamud Sheikh Ahmed declared that the government has "formally revoked" the operating licenses of several airline companies.
He specifically named Daallo Airlines, Jubba Airways, Africa Express and Gallad Airlines which made daily commercial flights to Mogadishu as loosing their license to land at Aden Adde International Airport.
According to Mr. Ahmed, the government reached the decision after the airline companies obeyed the al Shabaab threat and rejected the government's assurances that the airport is safe and open for business.
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