As the Somali capital continues to prepare for its presidential election next week, the Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, perpetrated a series of raids and suicide bombings across Mogadishu overnight…
The near simultaneous raids underscore the city’s lasting instability and Shabaab’s capabilities to continue to strike at government installations inside Mogadishu, The total number of fatalities are currently unclear, though Somalia’s National News Agency stated that at least 5 people, including 2 children, were killed in the attacks. Another reported 16 people were wounded.
For its part, Shabaab said it was responsible for raids on police stations and military outposts in five different areas of Mogadishu and its immediate suburbs: Kahda, Yaqshid district’s Darasalam neighborhood, Hodan, Daynile, and the suburb of Ceelasha Biyaha.
In a statement released through its Shahada News Agency, Shabaab stated the raids began with a suicide bombing on the Kahda police station before gunmen entered the fray. Shortly thereafter, gunmen raided a military camp in the same district, reportedly engaging in combat with Somali troops.
A senior African Union official said Tuesday that while al-Shabab continues to be the main security threat in Somalia, the AU is also monitoring a possible resurgence of Islamic State.
“The violence has mainly been perpetrated by al-Shabab, through the use of IEDs, mortar attacks, ambushes, and targeted assassinations of senior government officials, Somali security forces and civilians,” Madeira told the U.N. Security Council. “We have also been monitoring with concern what could be a resurgent Islamic State, as credible reports indicate that the group carried out two improvised explosive device attacks and detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in November 2021 and January 2022, respectively.”
