Gunmen Attack Italian Embassy in Somalia
Up to 30 Somali gunmen attacked the Italian Embassy in northern Mogadishu on Friday, and soldiers inside killed at least one Somali when they returned fire, military officials said.
The Italians drove off two assaults by the gunmen, who vanished when U.S. and Italian helicopters took to the skies.
Italian Lt. Col. Gianfranco Scalas, who said a second Somali was wounded, speculated that the Somalis were trying to loot the embassy.
Somali witnesses said the attack was the work of former embassy employees who were disgruntled over their final pay.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
