By Dalmar:
Yaqshid District, Mogadishu, Somalia –
Yesterday at approximately 4:30 PM, the Somali Military Police vehicle was targeted in an attack claimed by al-Shabaab militants, who employed an improvised explosive device (IED) on the road in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid District leading to Darul Salaam.
The Somali Digest spoke to an eyewitness who was en route to Darul Salaam Gardens when the explosion occurred. He recounted witnessing several injured officers transported to the hospital in a tuk-tuk.
“I was taking my children to Darul Salaam Gardens when, approximately halfway along the industrial road to Darul Salaam, we suddenly heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire. I witnessed the injured soldiers being rushed to the hospital in a bajaj [a local name for a three-wheeled motor vehicle, also known as a tuk-tuk],” described the eyewitness.
“I attempted to find an alternate route parallel to Darul Salaam Road to reach the gardens, but all the roads were blocked. That’s when I noticed the bajaj driver being beaten by soldiers … [The security officers were rounding up people considered suspects nearby the explosion but later let this bajaj driver go]. I wasn’t able to take my children to Darul Salaam, but thank God we managed to return home unharmed,” explained the individual we interviewed.
Al-Shabaab’s media outlet has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was carried out by their “Explosives Brigade”. According to the group’s claims, four officers were killed, while three others sustained injuries. However, the Somali Digest could not independently verify these claims’ accuracy.
Al-Shabaab still capable of targeting the capital
Despite repeated assurances from the Somali government regarding increased safety in the capital, al-Shabaab’s capability to carry out attacks in Mogadishu remains intact. Over time, hotels have been frequent targets due to their tendency to accommodate high-ranking Somali and foreign officials. Just last month, a beachside hotel in Mogadishu was subjected to a six-hour siege by armed fighters from al-Shabaab, resulting in the deaths of at least six civilians and the injury of 10 others.
Although al-Shabaab has been driven out of major urban centres in Somalia, the group still wields influence and maintains control over vast rural areas. Consequently, it continues to carry out attacks against both security forces and civilian targets, including within the capital city.
