Africa AMU Homeland Security Intelligence Terrorism

Al Shabaab Targets UN In Somalia Following Deadly Attacks In Kenya

By Kylie Bull
Managing Editor of Homeland Security Today
Special for In Homeland Security

The al-Qaida Somalia-based affiliate Al Shabaab, which has attracted radicalized Somalis from the U.S. and Western Europe to join its jihad, launched a terrorist attack in Mogadishu Dec. 3 that damaged a convoy of United Nations vehicles and killed and injured several Somali bystanders and security personnel.

According to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Somalia, no staff were injured in the attack, which took place at approximately 9:40 a.m. Early indications show that a car bomb was detonated. Investigations into the attack continue.

In a statement issued the same day, the members of the U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the attack, reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The Security Council reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, underlining the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of such reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. Underlining their support and gratitude to all U.N. staff in Somalia, they also reiterated that this or any other attack by Al Shabaab would not dent their resolve to support the people of Somalia.

The attack on the U.N. convoy came just one day after U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the horrific terrorist attack in Mandera, Kenya which left more than 30 people killed in the second outburst of extremist violence to afflict the East African nation in less than two weeks.

 

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