KISMAYO, Somalia — An explosion rocked the city of Kismayo last night when armed assailants lobbed a grenade into a crowded restaurant at the Golol intersection, causing significant destruction and injuring at least six civilians, local officials confirmed.
The attack, which occurred in the heart of the Jubaland regional administration’s current seat, underscores the persistent security challenges facing the port city. The perpetrators managed to flee the scene before security forces arrived to investigate, according to reports from reliable sources.
The incident adds to the series of bombings and targeted assassinations that have occasionally plagued Kismayo, with Al-Shabaab, a militant group still active in southern Somalia’s Juba region, suspected of involvement in such attacks.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos following the explosion, with injured individuals rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The exact condition of the victims was not immediately disclosed.
Security forces have launched a manhunt for those responsible, with heightened patrols expected in the area as part of efforts to prevent further attacks.
The government has pledged to intensify its operations against Al-Shabaab, aiming to restore lasting peace and security to Kismayo and the broader Jubaland region.
