MOGADISHU, Somalia - A contingent of African Union soldiers in Somalia shot dead at least seven civilians in Mogadishu, reports indicate, in the latest wave of violence meted on innocent people in the Horn of Africa nation which has been struggling with stability for over three decades now.
According to officials, the troops opened fire deliberately on the civilians at Heliwa District within Banadir in what was seen as retaliation after their convoy was blown by a landline earlier within the capital Mogadishu, an incident which left one soldier dead and others critically injured.
The AMISOM soldier died on the spot leading to an unprecedented operation within the capital which led to the death of civilians. The AU Mission in Somalia is yet to respond to the latest allegations but it's not the first time civilians are being targeted in the attacks.
"We saw the soldiers descend on people and at least seven people were killed. It's one of those incidents that the people of Somalia did not envision, killing people without mistakes," an eyewitness told Garowe Online, adding that the soldiers shot dead the civilians deliberately.
According to officials, the troops opened fire deliberately on the civilians at Heliwa District within Banadir in what was seen as retaliation after their convoy was blown by a landline earlier within the capital Mogadishu, an incident which left one soldier dead and others critically injured.
The AMISOM soldier died on the spot leading to an unprecedented operation within the capital which led to the death of civilians. The AU Mission in Somalia is yet to respond to the latest allegations but it's not the first time civilians are being targeted in the attacks.
"We saw the soldiers descend on people and at least seven people were killed. It's one of those incidents that the people of Somalia did not envision, killing people without mistakes," an eyewitness told Garowe Online, adding that the soldiers shot dead the civilians deliberately.