Status: 01/22/2023 5:05 p.m
In the Somali capital Mogadishu, the seat of the regional government has become the target of an attack. The Islamist terrorist militia Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which is still ongoing. There are different reports about possible victims.
A suicide bomber detonated a car laden with explosives at a gate of the regional government headquarters in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Armed fighters from the Islamist terrorist militia Al-Shabaab then stormed the building complex, which houses, among other things, the office of the mayor and the governor of the surrounding region of Benadir, police officer Mohamed Dahir told the dpa news agency. According to Dahir, the terrorists fired around.
There are different reports about possible victims. The Reuters news agency reports that five injured people have been brought to safety. According to the dpa agency, at least six people were killed, including two security forces, three civilians and the suicide bomber.
Terrorists continue to besiege the building
The mayor and numerous other officials were taken to safety by security forces, Dahir said. According to official information, the suspected terrorists continued to besiege the building early Sunday evening. Witnesses reported that shots could be heard. “Our security forces are still fighting the terrorists,” said Deputy Mayor Mohamed Yaboh. Accordingly, up to seven Al-Shabaab fighters are suspected in the building. The terrorist militia claimed responsibility for the crime via the radio station Andalus.
The crisis state on the Horn of Africa with around 16 million inhabitants has been rocked by terrorist attacks and other acts of violence for years, especially by Al-Shabaab. The government has been waging a military offensive against Al-Shabaab for several months. The government was able to reconquer large parts of central Somalia. At the same time, the extremists are increasing the frequency of their attacks.