Ethiopian, Somali forces confiscate weapons in Mogadishu
May 7, 2007 (MOGADISHU) — Ethiopian forces, in collaboration with Somali forces, have carried out search operations for weapons in different districts of the capital Mogadishu like Heliwaa and Yaaqshiid. The operations continued at various places in Suuqa Xoolaha and SOS in the Soamli capital according to Radio Shbeelle.
However, radio HornAfrik indicated that the search operations targeted particularly weapons market in the Somali capital. The Ethiopian Somali troops for the first time raided the vicinity of Cirtoogte market in Mogadishu where weapons are sold and collected a large quantity of weapons from a store in the cereal market within the Bakaaraha in Mogadishu.
Also, the Ethiopian troops raided the cereals market in Bakaaraha and entered a store near Cirtoogte from where they collected an assortment of weapons. A Radio HornAfrik journalist, who visited the Cirtoogte market situated inside the Bakaaraha, saw weapons merchants confused and scared, with business transaction almost coming to a halt.
The capital’s newly-appointed mayor, former warlord Mohamed Dheere, has vowed to confiscate all guns from private citizens as part of the government’s drive to restore law and order to the Horn of Africa country, deprived of central rule since 1991.
The Somali independent Shabeelle radio said that Ethiopian forces entered the Suuqa Xoolaha neighbourhood at 6:30 a.m. and carried out serious operations. They set up a new base at a local industry called Banaadir, which produces sweets.
The joint troops have blocked the road near S-company at Suuqa Xoolaha area, and the business premises in these areas remain closed, since businessmen have failed to go and open them. One of the residents of Suuqa Xoolaha told Shabeelle that tension in the area was still very high, with residents and businessmen expressing concern over the presence of Ethiopian and Somali forces in the area.
This is the first time that Ethiopian and Somali forces have been seen there since the control of the town was taken over by these coalition forces. They had previously been based at the SOS junction in the capital, Mogadishu.
However, four policemen were wounded on Monday in the first major attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu since fighting ended last month, and an officer accused Islamist rebels of detonating the landmine under a police van.
Policeman Mohamed Abdullahi said the attack was targeting the capital’s police chief, Ali Said, who was not in the vehicle when it was hit close to the presidential palace.
(ST)