Somalia: Al-Shabaab attacks AMISOM April 1

Event

Al-Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility for various attacks carried out against African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces on Sunday, April 1. The incidents occurred in the city of Bula Marir and the town of Goleeyn, both located in the Lower-Shebelle region. Militants claim to have killed 59 Ugandan AMISOM soldiers in a gun and bomb attack, while the government claims to have killed at least 20 Al-Shabaab militants. The exact casualty numbers remain unclear.

Context

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of Somalia, including in the Lower-Shebelle region, and attacks from the group are frequent across 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.

Advice

Due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present throughout Somalia are advised to avoid government and institutional buildings as well as political events due to Al-Shabaab's tendency to target political figures and security forces. Because of extremely poor security conditions, travel should only be considered with appropriate security precautions in place.