Somali government recruits troops amid terror attacks

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Somalia’s government is recruiting more soldiers following deadly bomb attacks in its capital, Mogadishu.

Speaking during a closing ceremony for new army recruits in Mogadishu, General Mohamed Aadan said: “Somalia will need more forces to fight al-Shabaab and secure the stability of the country.”

The Somali Defense Ministry also confirmed this week it would recruit at least 500 new troops before the end of the year.

Somalia also uses U.S.-trained special forces locally called Danab (Lightening).

Turkey -- a close friend to the Somali government -- the European Union and several Arab states, including Qatar, are now supporting the rebuilding of the Somali National Army.

Turkey also strongly condemned a militant attack on a hotel near the presidential palace in Somalia on Tuesday that killed at least 15 victims and injured more than 20 others, including MPs and ministers.

At least seven people were killed and two others injured in another bomb attack on a beach restaurant on Aug. 25. The attack took place at Banadir restaurant on Lido beach, a highly frequented area, especially on Thursdays and Fridays.

Five civilians, two members of the security forces and two attackers died in the incident.

In a statement on Wednesday, Qatar’s defense ministry said it would work closely with the government in Somalia. “Qatar will continue to provide support to the brethren in Somalia in the efforts rebuild its military and defeat terrorists in Somalia,” it said.