Seven al-Shabab militants who attacked a high-security prison in Somalia’s capital have all been killed, the country’s government has announced. The incident involved a significant explosion and gunfire at the Godka Jilicow detention center in Mogadishu on Saturday evening. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility, stating they had freed “all the Muslim prisoners” and inflicted heavy casualties on the guards.
According to government reports, the militants had disguised themselves as soldiers to gain entry to the prison. While the government did not release specific numbers for its own security forces killed, it offered condolences to the families of the “fallen heroes.” The attack, which began around 16:40 local time, occurred near the Somali presidential palace, raising questions about security protocols.
Godka Jilicow, operated by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (Nisa), holds numerous al-Shabab members and other high-profile detainees. This breach is seen as a significant blow to Nisa, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in one of the capital’s most secure areas. Al-Shabab, an organization with ties to al-Qaeda, has been engaged in an insurgency in Somalia for nearly two decades.
The attack comes just hours after the government had reopened key roads in Mogadishu, which had been closed due to security concerns, citing recent improvements in the city’s safety.