Somalia : Yusuf's personal security force leaves Mogadishu

28 Dec 28, 2008 | Garoweonline

MOGADISHU, Somalia - More than 100 people including soldiers and their families flew out of Mogadishu Sunday, as preparations begin for the expected resignation of interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, Radio Garowe reports.

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers stood guard at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, watching as the plane loaded its passengers.

A witness at the airport told Radio Garowe that there was a "loud disagreement" after extra passengers tried to board the plane.

"The plane was supposed to carry 110 people, but more than 140 boarded," the witness said, adding that the move angered the pilots, who finally agreed to 120 passengers.

Most of the passengers are members of President Yusuf's personal security force, who protected his residence at the Villa Somalia presidential compound.

The plane reportedly landed in Galkayo, in the region of Puntland, the Somali president's stronghold.

Civilians killed

Locals reported that a roadside bomb targeting AMISOM peacekeepers along the road leading to Mogadishu's airport missed its mark today, killing at least three civilian bystanders.

"There was a big explosion near Hotel Ambassador…the road was being used by AMISOM tanks [at the time], who were transporting small children to the airport," said Nasro Omar, a resident of Waberi district.

Somali and Ethiopian troops rushed to the scene and briefly stopped traffic along the vital Maka al Mukarama Road.

No group has claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing, but Islamist rebels have been attacking Somali, Ethiopian and AMISOM military targets since 2006.

Media reports have said that President Yusuf will resign on Monday, ending a months-long feud with Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein, who enjoys the backing of the international community.