Somali militants linked to al Qaeda threaten more attacksApril 15, 2013 - 17:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Somali militants linked to al Qaeda warned on Monday, April 15, of further attacks in the capital, a day after killing at least 30 people in a wave of coordinated bombings and shootings that exposed the fragility of security gains in Mogadishu, Reuters reported. African peacekeeping troops blocked off streets and searched houses across the city at dawn on Monday to flush out suspected members of the Islamist militant group al Shabaab which claimed responsibility for the strikes. But the rebels warned of further attacks and taunted the Mogadishu government, which they brand a Western stooge, over its trouble securing the city at a time the country struggles to emerge from more than two decades of conflict and anarchy. Although a military offensive under an African Union peacekeeping banner has pushed al Shabaab from urban strongholds in central and southern Somalia, the attacks reinforce concerns the militants remain a potent force. "Yesterday's blasts eliminated the dreams of the puppet government. More lethal attacks are coming," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's spokesman for military operations, told Reuters by telephone. At least one car bomb exploded and several suicide bombers blew themselves up in front of Mogadishu's law courts on Sunday. Gunmen stormed the court compound, spraying it with bullets. Two hours later, a car bomb was detonated near the city's fortified airport. The law courts were a symbolic target. Somalia's new government has made reforming the judiciary a priority in its campaign to shake off the country's "failed state" tag. The scale of Sunday's attacks suggest the Islamist militants remain well organized, enabling them to infiltrate the city from which they were driven out two years ago and target vital installations with apparent ease. Western and Somali officials voice concerns that the militants were seeking to rebuild their strength in the capital. "It will be almost impossible to eliminate al Shabaab," lawmaker Mohamed Farah Jimale told Reuters. "They will regroup and continue bombing." Britain, which has a large Somali population and has warned of threats to its own security from Somalia-trained militants, had warned last week of an imminent attack in Mogadishu, highlighting the international networks involved. Somalia's finance minister said the attack reinforced the government's call for more aid to pay and train its security personnel as it seeks to rebuild the nation of 10 million people. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |