Somalia: Deadly Al-Shabaab attack on military base in south Sept 3

Event

According to security sources, on Sunday, September 3, around 04:00 (local time) an Al-Shabaab attack on a military base in Bulogadud (south) left at least ten soldiers dead and several others wounded. Assailants reportedly drove a truck with explosives to the main entrance of the base, detonated the car bomb, and then proceeded to attack security forces stationed at the base with gunfire.

Al-Shabaab claims to have killed 26 soldiers, captured three vehicles, and seized ammunition stores. However, the military denies any vehicles were taken. Somali troops later regained control of the base after Al-Shabaab militants left the base.

Context

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country and attacks from the group are frequent in the country. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and United Nations-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

Advice

Individuals present in Somalia are advised to avoid the affected area and to monitor developments to the situation.

Due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present throughout the country 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.