Somalia: IED attack kills two people in Mogadishu December 31

Event

A remote control improvised explosive device (RCIED) attack killed two people and wounded several others in Mogadishu on Sunday, December 31. Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack. The RCIED reportedly exploded on Industrial Road near the Somali Ministry of Defense building, targeting a passing African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces convoy. A convoy vehicle is believed to have received some damage but no AMISOM soldiers were among the casualties. Al-Shabaab falsely claim they had killed five AMISOM soldiers. A Somali soldier and a civilian passer-by were killed in the explosion.

Context

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of Somalia and attacks from the group are frequent in the country, including in Mogadishu. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructures 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.​