African Union’s Mission in Somalia has begun withdrawing its troops from the country against the backdrop of heightened insecurity in Mogadishu.
The capital has witnessed almost 1,000 deaths in just three months.
This is the highest number of fatalities recorded in the country in such a short time since Amisom operations began in 2007.
The intensified attacks have caused a security scare in Somalia, leading to the resignation of Defence minister Abdirashid Abdullahi and army boss Ahmed Mohamed Jimale Irfid.
The fears have also led to the dismissals of senior security and intelligence officials, with the US State Department ordering Americans to leave the country.
The United Nations asked local and foreign staff to be more vigilant while in Somalia. The same warning was issued to government ministries.
In an interview with the Sunday Nation, Information Minister Abdirhaman Osman Yarisow admitted that the war on terrorism was becoming complex.
He said terrorists were changing tactics and conducting “an asymmetric warfare”.
“It is very difficult to stop terrorists who want and are ready to kill themselves, especially if they want to do so in populated areas,” the minister said.
“The government has succeeded in securing its institutions and that is why al-Shabaab terrorists are desperately turning to populated civilian zones to make newspaper headlines.”