In a dramatic escalation of violence, seven al-Shabab militants have been reported killed following their attack on a high-security prison in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Godka Jilicow, a detention facility known for housing al-Shabab members and other prominent detainees.
Witnesses described hearing a massive explosion alongside the sounds of gunfire emanating from the prison. According to statements released by the militant group, they successfully managed to free “all the Muslim prisoners” held within the facility, claiming to have inflicted substantial casualties on the guards.
Details of the attack
Utilizing a cunning strategy, the assailants disguised themselves in military uniforms to gain access to the prison, as reported by the government-affiliated news outlet Sonna Live. While the exact number of casualties among the security forces remains undisclosed, the government expressed its condolences to the families of “the fallen heroes” who lost their lives in the confrontation.
The firefight reportedly commenced around 16:40 local time (13:40 GMT). Located in close proximity to the Somali presidential palace, Godka Jilicow is operated by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (Nisa), which has been under scrutiny following this breach of security.
Security implications
This assault represents a significant setback for Nisa, raising serious questions about how the militants managed to penetrate one of the capital’s most fortified locations. Al-Shabab, which has maintained a violent insurgency against Somalia’s government for nearly two decades and is aligned with al-Qaeda, continues to pose a persistent threat to national security.
Interestingly, just hours before the attack, the Somali government had announced the reopening of key roads in Mogadishu that had been closed due to security concerns, citing improvements in the city’s safety. This attack underscores the volatile nature of the region and the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order.