An al-Shabaab suicide bomber targeted the Jalalaqsi district commissioner Thursday afternoon. In a disturbing incident that rocked the town in Somalia’s Hiran region, at least five people died. The district commissioner Nur Dheere survived.
Jalalaqsi, Hiran region, HirShabelle, SOMALIA. By Jama:
The deadly attack resulted in severe casualties and sent shockwaves throughout the community. The assailant, clad in a suicide vest, targeted a bustling restaurant where several officials of the Jalalaqsi district gathered, including the commissioner himself.
The five victims included members of the district administration as well as civilians. Among the deceased were prominent figures of the Jalalaqsi district, such as Mohamed Ahmed Dhagacade, a district official, and Farah Boosey, a well-known local personality.
The militant group al-Shabaab promptly claimed responsibility for the attack. In an official statement, the group asserted it targeted a group of officials who have actively engaged in the fight against them. The statement read, “The Mujahideen forces today [yesterday], at 13:40, targeted a group of officers in the Jalalaqsi district of the Islamic Region of Hiran. The targeted officers were involved in the fight against Sharia, led by the crusaders and apostates [al-Shabaab’s pejorative term for the Somali government forces] in some of the areas of Somalia’s central regions. We have inflicted deaths and injuries on the officers.”
Sing of inadequate protection measures
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabaab to officials of both the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS). It highlights the importance of maintaining vigilant security measures even in areas perceived to be relatively safe. The attack underscores the vulnerability of government authorities when they don’t implement adequate security measures.
Jalalaqsi is a town in the south-central Hiran region of Somalia’s HirShabelle State. It lies on the Shabelle River, between Buuloburde and Jowhar. The Hawadle clan predominantly inhabits the area.
Al-Shabaab’s recent Jowhar attack
The militant group often targets targeting officials. On 22 July, an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion occurred at Jowhar’s livestock market. It targeted HirShabelle’s tax officer, Dahir Mohamed Kaanti, and his security guards. Tragically, Mr Kaanti succumbed to his injuries.
HirShabelle State President Ali Gudlawe extended condolences to the family and relatives of Mr Kaanti. In his statement, the President confirmed Mr Kaanti died in an explosion carried out by “the Khawarij group”, as the Somali officials often refer to al-Shabaab.
