Aweys Osman Yusuf

Mogadishu, 17 March, 2007 - The price of small arms sold in Mogadishu's Bakara Market has increased lately, according to arms sellers in Irtogte within Bakara market.

Irtogete is a market in which the various types of weaponries are exclusively sold.

One of the arms sellers in the market, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in fear of reprisal, told Shabelle that the price of weapons rose high after insecurity in Mogadishu mounted.

"Most people come buying small arms like AK 47 rifles and pistols to protect themselves or their businesses," he said.

AK47 gun costs $350 today, while it did cost $260 in the past days. The Italian pistol (TT) costs $300 while it cost $200 in the past days.

The arms seller said big weapons are not in great buy lately.

As buying weapons mounts, insecurity reaches the worst stage, experts said.

The news comes as the transitional government was mobilizing more than 4,000 security forces who recently finished their military training in Baledogle airfield, 100 km south of the capital to pacify Mogadishu which is infested with the different kinds of arms.

Source: Shabelle Media Network