Mogadishu, SOMALIA – Seven mortar rounds rained down on and around Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport last night, shattering the fragile sense of security in Somalia’s capital. The attack, claimed by Al-Shabab, has once again exposed the glaring vulnerabilities in Mogadishu’s security apparatus and raised serious questions about the government’s ability to protect its citizens and key infrastructure from the relentless onslaught of Al-Shabab’s insurgency.
The assault on the airport underscores the audacity and reach of Al-Shabab’s operations. Despite years of counter-terrorism efforts by the Somali government and its international partners, the group continues to strike at the heart of the capital, undermining the country’s fragile progress towards stability.
Al-Shabab’s Resurgence
The mortar attack on Aden Adde International Airport is part of a broader pattern of Al-Shabab’s resurgence in Somalia. In recent months, the group has launched a series of high-profile attacks across the country, demonstrating its growing strength and its ability to strike at the heart of the government’s power.
From the overrunning of military bases in Balcad and El Dher, Al-Shabab has made significant territorial gains, effectively reversing many of the hard-fought successes achieved by government forces in recent years. These setbacks have not only undermined the credibility of the Somali National Army (SNA) but have also raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy.
Moreover, Al-Shabab’s ability to infiltrate key institutions and exploit vulnerabilities in Somalia’s security apparatus has been laid bare by recent revelations. The trial of Abdinur Aden Ibrahim, a former Director within the Ministry of Finance of Southwest State, exposed the group’s sophisticated financial operations, with nearly $300,000 in deposits and withdrawals moving through government-linked accounts. This level of infiltration suggests a deeply rooted problem that extends far beyond the battlefield and into the very heart of Somalia’s governance structures.
Somalia’s Security Landscape
The mortar attack on Aden Adde International Airport and Al-Shabab’s broader resurgence cannot be viewed in isolation; rather, they must be understood within the context of Somalia’s complex and evolving security landscape. The country faces a range of challenges that have created a fertile ground for the growth of extremism and instability, from clan conflicts and political divisions to economic hardship and social marginalization.
One of the most significant factors contributing to Somalia’s security challenges is the planned withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). As ATMIS forces prepare to hand over responsibility to the SNA, concerns have grown about the readiness and capabilities of Somali troops to fill the void. The recent attacks on ATMIS bases in Lower Shabelle, coupled with the overrunning of SNA positions in Balcad, have highlighted the enormity of the task ahead and the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to build the capacity and resilience of Somalia’s security forces.
At the same time, Somalia’s security landscape has been further complicated by the growing influence of external actors. The arrival of Egyptian military aircraft in Mogadishu, carrying weapons and equipment to support the FGS, has added a new dimension to an already complex situation, raising the stakes for all parties involved and increasing the risk of regional spillover.
The Human Cost
Beyond the strategic implications and the broader security context, the mortar attack on Aden Adde International Airport has taken a heavy toll on the people of Mogadishu. For a city that has endured decades of conflict and instability, the constant threat of violence and the unrelenting barrage of Al-Shabab’s insurgency have left deep scars on the collective psyche of its residents.
The attack on the airport is just the latest in a series of Al-Shabab attacks that have shaken Mogadishu. From the devastating car bomb attack on the Lido beach resort that claimed over 50 lives to the targeted assassinations of government officials and security personnel, the people of the city have been subjected to a relentless campaign of terror that has left them struggling to cope with the physical and emotional wounds of war.
