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July 2, 2016: Al Shabaab mortar attack kills children in Somalia

On July 2, 2016 Al Shabaab launched mortars at the town of Baidoa killing two little girls and wounding 19.

BAIDOA, SOMALIA – It is getting tiresome to repeat but terrorists really do have no moral compass.

Isn’t it odd that terrorists and terrorist groups often portray themselves as morally superior to the rest of us? They loudly proclaim that they are ‘protecting the nation’, or ‘doing God’s work’ or ‘saving the planet’. And of course they are the only ones who do all this.

Terrorists will say that they are uniquely aware of the evils of the world and that they, and they alone, have been chosen to right what is wrong. If only we, the ‘great unwashed‘, would only listen to their wisdom.

I have chosen terrorists to do my will – NOT! (Photo: Public Domain)

In reality of course the opposite is true. Not only are terrorists not divinely or morally mandated to do what they do out of some sense of the greater good but their actions are among the most horrible acts known to humanity.

Today’s attack is a very good example.

On this day in 2016

The Somali terrorist group Al Shabaab launched mortars at the town of Baidoa in the southwestern part of the country. A total of 11 explosives were lobbed and two girls, aged four and five were killed. Another 19 people were injured.

She had shrapnel in her head and she died in the emergency room.

The fate of one of the victims; the other died instantly.

Al Shabaab often carries out attacks in Mogadishu targeting the Presidential Palace but stray mortars often hit residential areas causing civilian casualties.

So can someone tell me how the wanton killing of two little girls is making the world a better place or doing ‘God’s will’?

I’m waiting for an answer on that front.

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By Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. Phil is a 32-year veteran of CSE and CSIS and the author of six books on terrorism.

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