Somali President Downplays U.S. Al-Shabaab Attack Warning as Mogadishu Tightens Security
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Staff Reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 08-03-2025, 06:06PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has ruled out immediate danger in the country, a few say after the United States issued an alert, warning of an impending attack from the Al-Shabaab militants, who are fighting to overthrow the government.
On Friday, Hassan Sheikh said there was no immediate danger despite the alert, noting that the level of security alertness in the country is beyond reproach. Somalia is prone to Alshabaab attacks given the struggles in stability.
The US warned about potential terrorist attacks in Mogadishu targeting key areas, including the city's Aden Abdulle International Airport, a critical infrastructure in the country that thousands of visitors use as an exit and entry point to the country.
He emphasized that no districts previously liberated have been recaptured by Al-Shabaab. However, two days ago, Al-Shabaab did regain control of the El-Baraf area in the Middle Shabelle region from the Somali army.
As a precaution, the government of Somalia banned armed forces and military vehicles from making entry into the facility, which is guarded by the local forces and those from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.
The president asked locals to collaborate with security forces during this month of Ramadhan which the militants have previously used as a gap to launch attacks. The Al-Shabaab targets both the security forces and innocent civilians.
Somalia is fighting to restore peace and stability after decades of instability and has since absorbed the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) comprising 11900 soldiers and other personnel. The long-term strategy is to hand over security responsibilities to the local forces.
The US supports the Special Forces — Danab, which is instrumental in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. Recently, the US has assisted Puntland regional forces in tackling the ISIS militants who are also emerging as a security threat in the north.
GAROWE ONLINE
