Somalis hold mass protest against al-Shabaab in capital

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Hundreds of protesters gathered late Thursday in the Somali capital to protest al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al-Shabaab, in a demonstration organized by the federal government.

The protest at the Eng-Yarisow football stadium amid tightened security was attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mahamud and senior government officials.

The government dubbed the protest “Mogadishu Peoples Uprising” against the evil deeds of terrorists.

“They shed our blood, they robbed our property, they killed scholars, intellectuals and innocent civilians. They want to kill us by hundreds and thousands. How can we hide al-Shabab,” Mahamud told protesters.

He said his government closed al-Shabaab bank accounts and necessary measures will be taken against banks collaborating with terrorists.

“The residents of Mogadishu have enough of al-Shabaab killings and its bomb blasts against the citizens of the country. Their days are numbered and we all support our government efforts to continue fighting until all the remaining territories are liberated from the Khawarijs,” demonstrator Safiyo Abdulqadir told Anadolu.

It is the first anti-al-Shabaab terror protest in Mogadishu since the president declared a “total war” on the group after his re-election to a second term last year.

Since the declaration, the army, backed by local clan militias, has liberated large swathes of territory from the terror group, mainly in the south and central provinces of Hiran, Galgadud and the Middle Shabelle.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with al-Shabaab one of the main threats.

The group waged a deadly campaign against the Somali government and international forces since at least 2007, claiming thousands of lives.

The UN has warned of growing instability in the country, with periodic reports last year detailing attacks by al-Shabaab and pro-Daesh/ISIS terror groups.​​​​​​​