Somalia: Fatal attacks in Mogadishu and Lower Shebelle July 30

Event

On Sunday, July 30, a car bomb detonated near a police station in the capital Mogadishu, killing six and wounding at least 20 others according to police officials. The car exploded on the busy Maka Al-Mukarama Road in the Hodan district of the city, near the Waberi police station and the Wardhere Hotel. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, reportedly intended to target a government convoy scheduled to pass through the area.

On the same day, Al-Shabaab carried out a second attack against troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Militants ambushed a convoy of 24 vehicles in the village of Golweyn, located in the Lower Shebelle region, which was followed by armed clashes.  Al-Shabaab claimed 39 AMISOM soldiers were killed in the attack, although military officials have yet to confirm the exact number of fatalities. 

Context

Mogadishu frequently experiences attacks by Al-Shabaab, which continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and UN-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

The ambush in Golweyn comes a day after African Union (AU) and Somali government officials concluded a five-day conference on transitioning security responsibilities from AU peacekeepers to Somali national security forces. AMISOM reportedly announced a gradual transfer of responsibilities will start next year. The AU has deployed 22,000 troops in Somalia since 2007 to combat Al-Shabaab and support the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu.

Advice

Individuals in Somalia are advised to avoid the areas of the attacks and to monitor the situation.

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise their citizens against all travel to Somalia; professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.