BAL’AD, Somalia – On the morning of April 6, 2024, Al-Shabaab militants carried out a deadly attack in the center of Bal’ad town, located in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia.
The attack involved large explosions followed by armed militants storming two army bases in the town. The assault targeted a Somali spy agency building, with the militants claiming to have entered the station and taken control of most of the town’s neighborhoods.
The attack resulted in casualties, with at least four government soldiers confirmed dead by residents. The Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly engaged in a face-to-face attack and utilized a suicide car bomb during their assault on the army bases.
Witnesses and local sources reported that the militants withdrew from the town following the attack. Qasim Furdug, the commissioner of Bal’ad said 11 militants were killed.
The attack on Bal’ad comes after a period of increased activity by the Al-Shabaab group, which has been active in Somalia for years, targeting government and civilian infrastructure in their bid to destabilize the country and impose their rule.
The Somali government, along with regional and international partners, has been engaged in efforts to combat Al-Shabaab and restore stability in the region. Today’s raid highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Somalia and underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
As of the latest reports, the full extent of the damage and casualties from the attack is still being assessed. The government and security forces are working to restore order and provide assistance to those affected by the attack.
