Somali lawmakers debate insecurity amid rise of terror attacks

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Somali lawmakers debate insecurity amid rise of terror attacks

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Members of the Somali parliament on Saturday presented a motion on the deterioration of security in the capital just days after al-Shabaab militants attacked the Villa Rose hotel in Mogadishu killing 15 people and injuring a

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Lawmakers at the Somali federal parliament's Lower House debate insecurity on Saturday.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Members of the Somali parliament on Saturday presented a motion on the deterioration of security in the capital just days after al-Shabaab militants attacked the Villa Rose hotel in Mogadishu killing 15 people and injuring a dozen others including the country's security minister.

The lawmakers of the Lower House protested against the security search imposed on them as they queued for the parliament building and demanded that the heads of the security agents such as NISA and the police appear before the parliament for grilling on the insecurity in the capital.

The MPs also complained that the lack of security in Mogadishu and restrictions jeopardised the lawmakers' movement in the capital.

"There is no greater issue than the security matter. The people responsible for failing to ensure security should be called for grilling," said MP Dahir Amin Jesow, who suggested that security commanders such as NISA and the police should be brought before the People's House with immediate effect.

MP Abdirashid Jiley expressed his concern saying that while the insecurity has reached to its highest level and the ordinary citizens were facing the burden of the blocked streets and thus nobody can predict when the next terror attack will kick off.

"We represent the Somali people. If we don't talk about the insecurity who else will do. It's unfortunate. Lawmakers' cars are being searched and yet terror attacks are happening everywhere," he said posing a question on why terrorist attacks cannot be prevented.

MPs have suggested that an independent query should be launched into the reports that allege security negligence led to the last week's attack at the Villa Rose hotel.

"You are aware of the attack in Villa Rose. Those killed are our people and yet there are no hard questions being asked," said MP Jille.

The parliamentary debate is expected to continue in the coming days.

Conflict-related casualties in Somalia rose 30%

Meanwhile non-governmental organisations are reporting the increase in terrorist attacks in the capital with unbearable civilian casualties:

The mass casualty incidents related to the armed conflict in Somalia have increased by 30%, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Monday.

Fifty-seven conflict-related mass casualty incidents were registered between January and October compared to 43 during the same period in 2021, according to the Geneva-based humanitarian organization.

At least 2,113 people with conflict-related injuries have been treated so far this year, which the ICRC said is 197 more than the figure registered last year.

The violence included a twin bombing at a busy intersection in the capital Mogadishu late last month, which killed more than 121 people and wounded hundreds of others, mostly civilians.

The Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the recent deadly attack.

On the other hand, Somali forces backed by clan militias are waging massive military offensive against al-Shabaab militants in the Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud regions.