The Bakaara Market Shelled Again Friday, October 02, 2009

The Bakaara market in Mogadishu which is the biggest market in the city has come under heavy shelling again. In particular, the shelling was targeted at an area of the market where vegetables and fruits are sold.

Up to four civilians have died as a result of the shelling while several others have been wounded. The shelling came from an area of the city where AMISOM troops are stationed.

AMISOM troops shell the Bakaara market often when Islamic insurgent forces shell their bases in city from the Bakaar marked and its surroundings.

It was few days ago when AMISOM troops shelled the market which resulted in the death of many people all of whom were civilians. Those who died in the shelling included merchants and shoppers.

AMISOM was heavily criticised for the shelling by several civil society groups such as Hawiye Clan Elders Association, Bakaara Market Business Owners Association, and Somali Businesswomen’s Association all of whom accused AMISOM for cruelty and indiscriminate shelling.

The groups that failed criticised AMISOM for the shelling, however, failed to say anything about insurgent forces that use the Bakaara market as a base to hide and shell AMISOM troops which invites retaliatory shelling from AMISOM troops.