Wednesday August 21, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Director of the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA), Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloolshe, alongside other security officials, visited the site of a car bomb explosions on the outskirts of Mogadishu on Tuesday morning.
The blast occurred near a security checkpoint in the Arba'ow neighborhood in Elasha Biyaha, killing five government soldiers and causing injuries to several others. NISA forces successfully detonated a second vehicle filled with explosives, preventing further casualties.
Director Sanbaloolshe praised the security forces for their quick response in thwarting the attack and urged them to heighten their vigilance, particularly in collaboration with residents on the capital's outskirts.
The militant group al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for the explosion, stated that the attack targeted security forces stationed at the checkpoint.
The attack marks the third explosion in Mogadishu within the last 30 days, signalling an alarming rise in violence in the capital. Earlier this month, al-Shabaab attacked a popular beach restaurant in Mogadishu, killing over 37 civilians and injuring 212 others.
It was the deadliest attack in Somalia since twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, which claimed at least 100 lives and wounded 300 more.