Somali Government Razes Homes Near Mogadishu Airport Citing Security Risks
Mar 26, 2010
Bulldozers and workers with axes and sledge hammers have demolished dozens of poor people's makeshift homes near Mogadishu's main airport, residents said.
The demolition, which has effected nearly 1,000 dwellers and 500 homes started on Thursday when hundreds of government soldiers raided the area following an order from Mogadishu's mayor.
The government said these houses (made of corrugated iron sheets and tree branches covered with plastic sheets) posed a security threat to Mogadishu's international airport.
Abdirisaq Mohamed Nur, Mogadishu's mayor, said people linked with Al-Shabaab were hiding in the area.
"We know of dangers inside, our intelligence realized that these people receive money from Al-Shabaab to launch attacks on the airport," Nur said.
Residents who were left homeless have spent the night in the open and on the rubble of their demolished homes. Although they protested against the act, their voices were not heard.
"This is unacceptable act, we have no other place to go," Halima Hussein, one of the evicted residents, said.
The area, which is only 100 yards from the fence of the airport makes it possible to easily shoot planes.
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Tags:
Airports, MOGADISHU, Somalia, somalia security risk, Somalia Slums
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