Mortars were fired at Mogadishu airport as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited. The city is under strict lockdown. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was there to greet Abiy, who is set to discuss bilateral issues, following the Ankara Declaration resolving a prior standoff.
Mortars were launched toward the airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, coinciding with the visit of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Local media reported the incident occurring as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud awaited the Prime Minister in the VIP section of the airport. The city is currently under stringent lockdown measures due to heightened security risks. A security official, maintaining anonymity due to media restrictions, informed Anadolu Agency that some projectiles landed near Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport, although there was no clarification regarding any casualties. This incident coincided with the official arrival of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, marking discussions with President Mohamud about various bilateral matters, including security cooperation and trade relations. The two leaders previously agreed to conduct state visits following the Ankara Declaration, which successfully resolved a significant standoff between their nations. The declaration was established during a meeting in December, mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, aimed at strengthening ties between Ethiopia and Somalia.
The mortar attack during the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s visit underscores security challenges in Mogadishu. The ongoing discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aim to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in security and trade. This incident highlights the complexities both nations face as they seek to strengthen cooperation following a prior diplomatic standoff, recently addressed through the Ankara Declaration.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
