In a significant escalation of violence, Al-Shabaab militants executed a mortar attack near Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Sunday morning, leading to the disruption of international flight operations to Somalia. Security officials disclosed to AFP that this incident involved multiple mortar rounds that landed in an open area of the airport.
The recent assault follows a previous attempt on the life of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, wherein a roadside bomb narrowly missed his convoy and was also attributed to Al-Shabaab’s insurgency. The ongoing aggression from the militant group has prompted concerns over the safety and security of the region.
According to eyewitness accounts and security sources, approximately two to three mortar shells were fired from the outskirts of Mogadishu, landing near the airport’s facilities. An employee at the airport confirmed that a Turkish flight, which was scheduled to arrive, was diverted to Djibouti due to the incident. Additionally, EgyptAir reportedly canceled its flights for the day in response to the security situation.
The attack also had implications for Halane camp, a fortified compound that accommodates various international organizations, including the United Nations and foreign missions. ATMIS spokesman Lt. Col. Said Mwachinalo stated that the camp experienced shelling, and a team was dispatched for an on-ground assessment to evaluate the situation. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported thus far, and some airport operations appear to be continuing.
The Somali government has remained silent about the attack as concerns rise regarding Al-Shabaab’s increasing threat to national security. The group has been engaged in a protracted conflict with the federal government for over 15 years, and analysts indicate that recent upticks in violence pose a significant risk of undermining the progress made by Somalia and its international partners in stabilizing the region.
