CRIME WATCH: July records highest death toll in three months
Despite efforts by the Somali government to beef up security in the country, the death toll in the last three months has gradually gone up.
The casualty sequences as of May, June and July are 82, 144 and 161 respectively.
In light of this, under our monthly Crime Watch Project we document the killings and numbers of those injured this month, the project seeks to promote justice and constitutional rights of the citizens.
We may not be able to document all the killings or cases of injuries due to the scarce resources and sometimes lack of access to the affected areas in the country. Lack of basic institutions in the country such as hospitals, mortuaries and police services which ideally gather such information are also an impediment to getting accurate and up to date data.
According to our records, 161 people were killed and 72 others wounded in the month of July 2015. This is an increase 11 % from the month of June which recorded 144 deaths and 43 people injured.
The demographic distribution of the victims is diverse including AMISOM soldiers, government officials, business people, journalists and ordinary people among others.
The following is the chronology of events in the month of July:
July 1, 2015: A traditional elder in Afgooye town, Abdi Gab was killed by unidentified armed men
July 1, 2015: A traditional elder killed and two others injured after armed men stormed a mosque in Dayniile district during Isha congregation.
The assailants killed Abdi Moalim Nohanud while Ibrahim Mohamed and another man said to be the Imam of mosque injured seriously.
July 2, 2015: Unidentified young men armed with pistols killed one government soldier in Mogadishu’s busy market Bakaaro.
July 5, 2015: A National Intelligence Security Agency, NISA official, Abdiaziz Abdikadir Habib sustained injuries when an improvised explosive devices (IED) fitted to his car detonated near El-Gaabta Junction.
July 5, 2015: Unknown gunmen killed a woman who was a butcher in Wadajir district. The reason behind the killingis unclear as she neither a government worker nor NGO staff.
July 7, 2015: At least seven people were confirmed dead and 20 others sustained injuries after a government soldier opened fire on civilians indiscriminately.
July 7, 2015: An explosion went off in Karan district after a car fitted with Bomb detonated leaving behind casualties which Goobjoog News could verify the figure.
July 8, 2015: The former district commissioner of Afgooye, Abdullahi Abdi Ahmed was gunned down in the centre of the town by unknown people armed with pistols.
July 8, 2015: The director of Benadir Neighborhood Watch program escaped assassination after improvised explosive device fitted to his car exploded in Waberi district.
July 9, 2015: A Somali National Army captain, Maulid Hussein Ahmed aka Dhubow and his bodyguard were killed in Wadajir district.
July 9, 2015: Two government soldiers were killed by armed men in Eelasha market on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.
July 10, 2015: A government soldier allegedly killed a pregnant woman who was well known trader in Afgoye town.
July 10, 2015: Suspected Al-Shabab fighters launched two separate attacks on hotels in Mogadishu, killing at least 18 people and injured 16 others.
July 11, 2015: African Union Peace-keeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops allegedly killed two civilians in Marka town.
July 12, 2015: At least three soldiers died after inter-Jubbaland forces conflict erupted in Kismayo town, the capital administrative of Interim Jubba Administration.
July 12, 2015: 4 people were to burned to death after their house caught fire at the wee hours of the morning.
July 12, 2015: At least ten people including school children were killed after Kenyan warplanes conducted airstrike in some areas of Gedo region.
July 12, 2015: One of Kahda district officials, Bille Ahmed Abuukar was killed in Dharkeynley district after Gunmen trailed his car from his home.
July 16, 2015: At least two were reportedly killed in an airstrike by unidentified drones near Bardere town of Gedo region where then Al-shabab fighters had a foothold.
July 20, 2015: At least 50 civilians were reported to have been killed by Government forces engaged gun in battle with Al-Shabab fighters in Raamo locality.
July 21, 2015: One NISA officer, Abdikadir Hussein Guelleh was gunned down by armed men in Hodan district
July 21, 2015: At least one person died and another one injured after AMISOM troops allegedly opened fire on civilians in Mogadishu.
July 21, 2015: AMISOM soldiers in Marka town allegedly killed 12 civilians after the troops were attacked with hand grenade the previous day.
July 21, 2015: At least five soldiers were killed after suspected Al-Shabab fighters ambushed a convoy of SNA around Shalanbood locality.
July 25, 2015: Mohamed Ali Juungal who was a government was shot dead by his pregnant wife named Fatuma Abdullahi Ali after an argument sparked between them.
July 25, 2015: Unidentified armed men gunned down one of the staff at the Prime Minister’s office, Saeed Ali Salah in Dharkeyley district on his way to work.
July 25, 2015: At least 10 civilians were killed in an airstrike by suspected US drones near Burhakaba town of Bay region where Alshabab fighters controlled.
July 25, 2015: A Somali MP Abdullahi Hussein Mohamud was killed in Mogadishu after he was attacked by armed men in a drive by shooting.
July 26, 2015: At least two died and five others injured after a road planted bomb went off in Moqokori locality.
July 26, 2015: At least 14 people including a journalist, Mohamed Abdikarim were killed and 28 others injured after suspected Al-Shabab fighters rammed a lorry full of explosives into the gate of Jazeera Palace hotel near the city’s airport.
July 27, 2015: A car fitted with explosives was detonated in Yaqshid district. The incident claimed one life.
July 31, 2015: Six people were reported dead after AMISOM soldiers allegedly opened fire on civilians in Marka town.