(20-01-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — Al-Shabaab militants targeted a base of the Mogadishu Stabilisation Forces in the Kahda district, west of Mogadishu early Saturday. The assault rapidly escalated into a brutal clash between the insurgents and the security forces stationed there.
The severity of the fighting has cast a pall over the district, with the extent of damage to residents and infrastructure still unclear. Concerns have been heightened regarding the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Official sources from the security sector claimed to have effectively repelled the militants’ onslaught, inflicting losses on the attackers. Contrasting these official reports, independent sources paint a dire picture, citing the loss of nine soldiers, including the commander of the base, known as Mr Arab.
At dawn, a powerful explosion was reported. Originating from a mine, the blast occurred at a security checkpoint and its reverberations were strongly felt across Kahda. Security forces were present at the explosion site.
Following the overnight raid, Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly retreated from the Kahda district, restoring a measure of calm to the area.
This surge in violence interrupts a period of relative peace in Mogadishu, which had been achieved following concerted efforts by the Somali government forces to stabilize the region. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by Somalia’s capital.
Halqabsi News
