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Outgoing AMISOM force commander Major General Fred Mugisha condemned recent al-Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu and reassured Somalis that security is improving.

"These attacks are part of their campaign to implant fear and intimidate people," he said in a statement released Thursday (March 22nd). "All Somalis must stand firm against these enemies of peace. We encourage you to continue to come forward with information about possible attacks and explosives. We will stand with you as you seek to build a better way of life."

Al-Shabaab warned civilians to avoid government buildings and AMISOM bases, as they will remain targets for attacks, Somalia's Shabelle Media Network reported on Wednesday.

"We [are] sending a warning message to all Somalis not to go close to the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM military bases to avoid a significant loss of lives as a result of bloody attacks," said al-Shabaab spokesperson Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage.

Mugisha said the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants are not concerned with civilians' welfare. "If they were seeking to improve the situation of the people, they would not be attacking unarmed civilians," he said.

African Union and Somali forces have been working with citizens' cooperation to intercept up to 70% of improvised explosive devices planted in the city, according to AMISOM.