By Mohamed Shiil

Mogadishu, Somalia

A government soldier fired on residents of a refugee camp in Mogadishu, killing 10 and wounding others, witnesses said on Thursday.

"The soldier intentionally fired the shots in camp where distribution of food aid was going on," said Mohamed Abdikadir, a refugee in the Hamar-Jajab district.

The soldier was among guards escorting aid supplies arriving at a refugee camp in the Waberi district when he started firing on people waiting in queues.

"Seven people including women and children died on the spot as three others later died in a hospital," said Mohamed Ali Mohamoud, a Waberi administrator.

"The place immediately changed into a butchery and blood was spilling everywhere as dead bodies and wounded refugees were seen scattered in the camp," said Fadumo Yarow, a distressed mother and a refugee in the Waberi.

Ahmed Mohamed, district commissioner of Waberi, confirmed that the soldier is being held by security forces who arrested him as he tried to flee the scene.

"He is now in custody and investigations are underway and will be put before the law," said Mohamed.

The reason for shooting refugees in a camp is not clear. In recent months, the looting of food supplies by soldiers in uniform has drastically increased in the refugee camps in Mogadishu.

Last month, government forces fired on refugees in the Badbaado refugee camp in Mogadishu, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 17.

 

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World - Government Soldier Kills 10 at Mogadishu Refugee Camp | Global Viewpoint