Continued violence in Somali capital scares, slows investors and aid groups trying to help

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A recent spate of attacks by Islamic extremist rebels in Somalia's capital is forcing investors, business leaders and aid workers to have second thoughts about what good they can accomplish.

African Union and Somali troops pushed the radical al-Shabab insurgents out of the capital in August 2011, fostering a relative peace that Mogadishu hasn't seen in years. Somalis living overseas are returning, bringing new foreign investment capital with them. But a recent spate of attacks is threatening those gains.

The Turkish Red Crescent said it periodically reviews its activities in Mogadishu because of the security situation but is not suspending operations. An attack last month struck a car carrying Turkish aid workers on a day when gunmen and suicide bombers killed 35 people at the nation's court complex.