Nine soldiers detained in Mogadishu for violating live ammunition ban

Police in Mogadishu have arrested nine members of the army who fired celebratory live ammunition on the Independence Day anniversary on Tuesday night.

The Banadir Regional Police Command stated that the arrested soldiers were accused of violating a directive that banned people, including army forces, from firing live bullets to celebrate Independence Week.

"An investigation is underway, as there are casualties resulting from the illegal shots fired last night. Security agencies are also looking for several other soldiers and their relatives," the Banadir regional police said in a brief statement on Wednesday.

Somalia's Independence Week started on Tuesday night after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, along with other government officials and thousands of citizens, raised the flag in a colorful event in Mogadishu.

Somalia's southern provinces gained independence from Italy in 1960 after years of struggle. The northern regions, now Somaliland, achieved independence from Britain on June 26, 1960, and four days later, on July 1, united with the South to form the Republic of Somalia.