On 19 June 2013, al-Shabaab, a Somali jihadist organization, attacked a United Nations compound in Mogadishu using suicide bombers, and gunmen who stormed the compound on foot, killing 15 and injuring at least 20. According to the UN, a pickup truck filled with explosives detonated outside the main gate of the compound located near Aden Adde International Airport at 11:30 a.m., which was followed by several gunmen assailing the area on foot, engaging in a gunfight with Somali security forces that lasted an hour and a half. Numerous blasts could be heard as Somali troops fought with at least seven militants.[1][2][3]
Four foreigners working for the United Nations Development Programme were killed in the assault, as well as numerous Somali security forces and civilians. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement which called the UN a "merchant of death." It was the first attack on the UN since the organization relaunched its operations in the country.[4][5][6]
