Somalis are expressing anger over the abduction and rape of two girls aged just three and four.
Local media reported that the girls were abducted by some men who took them away and subjected them to sexual assault.
Doctors treating them say they now need major surgeries to survive the attack which happened on Wednesday.
The director of the hospital where the girls were being treated, Dr Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed told journalists they were in critical condition and needed to undergo three major surgeries.
The parents of the victims told the media that the girls who are cousins were walking home from school in Afgoye, close to the capital, Mogadishu before the attack.
The parents said they launched a search for their children only to discover them alone seriously injured the following day.
18 people have been arrested in connection with the rape of the two girls, according to governor of the area, Ibrahim Adan.
Rape rampant in Somalia
The government has condemned the abduction and rape of the girls. Rape in Somalia is rampant and often young girls are victims of such crimes.
Often perpetrators of rape in Somalia escape without punishment, with just a few facing justice.
There have been agitations in Somalia over the incident with some expressing anger on social media.
I am deeply touched by the story of the 2 young girls that was horribly raped by unknown hynous men.
Its really vry painful to see such thing happening in our country.
I call on evry 1 step up & help this family get justice for their Kids. #Somalia#Stoprapingourgirls.— Abdinasir Gulled (@AIG_Gulled) April 4, 2020
3 and 4 year old girls raped in Somalia? Man, I’m so done with this world. This is too much. Logging off the internet. I just can’t.
I wonder how this one will be handled. Fuck all those who defend these animals. I hope you all get pushed off the highest mountain together.
— Noora (@nuraandcoffee) April 4, 2020
Another two young girls in Somalia both under the age of 10 were kidnapped and raped earlier this week. 18 MEN were arrested in connection to it. Is this not yet seen as a national or international protection crisis of child abuse, rape, and GBV? https://t.co/nbegGvvoFi
— Arawelo (@SagalAbas) April 5, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com