MOGADISHU, Somalia – An explosion took place in northern Mogadishu, the Somali capital on Wednesday morning as the country is at war with Al-Shabaab militant group.
Eyewitnesses confirmed to Radio Shabelle that at least two people died in the roadside bomb blast and several others were wounded, and have been admitted to a hospital.
The landmine was targeting a vehicle carrying the head of Intelligence in the Deynile district Abdirahman Ali, who narrowly escaped death. No group claimed responsibility.
The dead include a soldier who was a member of the security guards of the district spy boss. The scene was cordoned off by the police after the explosion but no arrest was made.
It comes as the Somali army along with locals ramped up military operations in central regions, where Al-Shabaab was driven out of areas since the start of the assault in 2022.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud left the luxury Villa Somalia, the state house and stationed in the central town of Dhusamareb two months ago to lead the war on Al-Shabaab.
Foreign partners have also bolstered the campaign against Al-Shabaab. U.S. airstrikes are helping the Danab, a special unit of the Somali National Army trained by the U.S. as a quick strike force, recapture territory from the insurgents in the regions of Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Galgaduud and Mudug.
The government now plans to continue the offensive in southern Somalia, even though it has not fully consolidated its hold in the newly liberated areas after the SNA retreat from Elbur and other nearby villages.
