AMISON slams attack on Mogadishu mosque by al-Shabab

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-10 00:36:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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MOGADISHU, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Thursday condemned recent attack on a mosque in Mogadishu's Hamar Jajab district in which one person was killed.

Francisco Caetano Madeira, the AU Special Representative for Somalia, noted that the killings targeting defenseless children and youth, had all the hallmarks of the terror group.

"They (al-Shabab) have descended to the lowest point. They are desperate and are seeking to make headlines by such despicable acts," Madeira said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The al-Qaida allied terrorist group on the evening of Aug. 4 attacked worshippers during "Maqrib" prayers and shot one person before escaping with his gun.

"I am dismayed at this sacrilegious act. The attack confirms that al-Shabab have neither respect for Islam, whose teachings abhor the shedding of innocent blood, nor for holy places of worship," said Madeira, who is also head of AMISOM.

He reiterated the AU mission's commitment to work with the Somali security forces and other partners, to put an end to the indiscriminate killings; and the wanton attacks on mosques, hotels and other social places.

Madeira, who criticized the abhorrent acts of cowardice, visited on the country's vulnerable groups, denounced wanton killings and abductions of young children by the terror group.

He expressed concerns over the increase of drive-by shootings on innocent hardworking youth. "Somalia is losing some of its most resourceful people through these killings," he stated.

The increased attacks take place across Somalia despite increased joint military operations by the allied forces in the areas Mogadishu and its environs.

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