Wednesday January 29, 2025
Somali security forces killed two suspected Al-Shabaab militants in a shootout in Mogadishu’s Deyniile district on Wednesday. Officials say the men were attempting to ambush police officers when they were shot dead. One police officer was injured, and a civilian was killed in the crossfire. (Photo: Handout)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali security forces shot and killed two suspected Al-Shabaab militants during a brief but intense firefight in Mogadishu on Wednesday, officials said. One police officer was injured in the exchange, while a civilian was also killed in the crossfire.
The gunfight erupted in the Gubta neighbourhood when the two armed militants attempted to ambush police officers stationed in the area, the Somali Police Force said in a statement. The officers returned fire, killing both assailants.
“The Somali Police Force, specifically officers from the Daynile District station, neutralized two armed Al-Shabaab operatives in the Garage area of Gubta. The militants were engaged and eliminated while attempting to assassinate police personnel. One officer sustained injuries but successfully thwarted the attack,” the statement read.
Authorities said weapons were recovered from the slain militants, and an investigation was underway to determine whether they had links to other planned attacks.
The attack comes amid an ongoing security crackdown in Mogadishu, where authorities have stepped up counterterrorism operations in response to a recent surge in targeted killings and bombings. Despite these measures, the group continues to pose a threat, particularly in the capital and other major urban centers.
Security officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as authorities work to prevent further attacks.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, frequently carries out assassinations and bombings targeting Somali security forces, government officials, and civilians in Mogadishu. The militant group has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s internationally recognized government for over a decade.