Mortars fired toward airport in Somali capital amid Ethiopian premier’s visit: Report

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Several mortars were fired toward the airport in the Somali capital, as the city prepares for a visit from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, local media reported.

According to the Somali Stream website, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was at the airport’s VIP area to welcome Abiy when the incident took place.

The city remains under strict lockdown for heightened security, it said.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, also confirmed to Anadolu that some of the mortars landed close to the Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport.

The official did not specify if there had been any casualties.

The incident came as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in the capital Mogadishu for an official visit and was welcomed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Abiy and Mohamud are expected to hold talks on a range of bilateral issues, including security cooperation, trade relations, and efforts to strengthen ties between their countries.

The two leaders agreed to exchange state visits after Ankara Declaration that ended a nearly year-long standoff between the neighbors.

The Ankara Declaration was reached in December during talks between Abiy and Mohamud hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.