Somali Journal March, 2014 | Page 6

Is it the end?

Al -Shabaab attacks the presidential palace

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The guards walked mindlessly in their routes simply following the footsteps of others, not paying any attention other than when their next meal will be and the hot sun beating down on their backs. Guns held loosely dangling at their sides, no one is prepared to use it but they are thankful of the sense of security and power emitting from the deathly contraption that they hold in their hands. The streets are barren, for everyone it is Friday and everyone is inside praying. The big pristine white mansion with its lush green lawns serves as a drastic contrast compared to the poverty stricken, starving people who are outside the presidential palace of Somalia.

The guards that were on patrol were disrupted from the consuming boredom as a car came into view and unlike most of it came forward to the gate. There was no alarm or shouting or fear in the drivers eyes as“two vehicle bombs exploded outside the rear gate, one shortly after the other, and then armed attackers entering, trying to enter the Villa Somalia complex, possibly up to about 15 or so armed attackers.” (Omar nor and laura smith-spark, 2014) The suicide bomber had made a path for a group of men to follow with their guns blazing, attacking the presidential palace of Somalia. Horror struck the palace as body after body hit the ground, and rounds of gunshots wrung through the air like warning bells to people outside the palace making them turn and hide in their homes.

By: Maddy Hawks