Mogadishu (Sunatimes) A large bomb-making factory has been discovered by African Union troops in northern Mogadishu. AMISOM troops yesterday uncovered a cache of bomb-making components including improvised detonators, switches for suicide vests and a considerable amount of explosives.

The find came after a two-day operation to dislodge a number of extremists who were still occupying a former steel factory located north of Wardhigley District. There was clear evidence that the site was being used as a centre for the manufacture of suicide bombs and improvised explosive devices with which extremists have targeted innocent civilians, as well as government and AMISOM troops.

The extremists left behind piles of rusting improvised shrapnel as well chemicals to enhance the explosive power and burning effect of the bombs. A total of 435 items of munitions and bomb-making equipment were found.

Included in the haul were thirty-two improvised detonators, forty-nine mortars, nose fuses for thirty-eight rocket propelled grenades and eight rockets. The extremists were also manufacturing their own hand grenades and hand weapons. At the site of the find Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, the AMISOM Force spokesperson said,

“We owe this success to the help and support from the people of Somalia, with whom we continue to rely on for information and tip-offs. This is a serious setback to the extremists who wish to harm the civilian populace."

Unlike the store of weapons that was discovered just a few days ago in Bakara Market, this factory was a place where weapons and bombs were being created for an ongoing campaign of terror. The material, devices and weapons AMISOM found yesterday would have been used to kill and maim innocent men, women and children.  Lt Col Ankunda continued,

“This find is as a result of the joint operation between Somali government security forces and AMISOM to make the city safer so residents can return, businesses can trade once again and enable humanitarian assistance to be safely delivered in this time of catastrophic famine.”

“Areas of Mogadishu vacated by the fleeing insurgents must be cleared of these weapons stores and secured in the longer term so that the city can return to some semblance of normality.

"We will continue to make the city safer and safer for the people of Somalia."