Somali security forces on Sunday confirmed that seven al-Shabab militants were killed after a six-hour siege at the Godka Jilacow high-security prison in Mogadishu, one of the most fortified facilities in the country. The attackers, disguised as soldiers, stormed the prison on Saturday evening in a brazen attempt to free detained al-Shabab members.
Located near the presidential palace, the Godka Jilacow complex is operated by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and houses high-profile inmates, including al-Shabab operatives. Witnesses described scenes of panic as explosions and gunfire erupted across the area.
“We thank God for sparing us from this disaster. We fled the explosion and the skirmishes as soon as they began,” said resident Halima Hassan, recounting the chaos.
Authorities said all militants involved were neutralized and confirmed that no prisoners escaped during the attack. However, the exact number of casualties among Somali security forces remains unclear. Local ambulance operator Abdulkadir Adam reported that his team transported around 25 injured individuals to hospitals.
The assault came hours after the federal government lifted several roadblocks across Mogadishu — checkpoints that had long safeguarded key government sites but were widely criticized for hindering traffic and commerce.
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” aimed at undermining recent security gains.
“This attack once again demonstrates al-Shabab’s utter disregard for human life and its attempts to reverse Somalia’s hard-won progress toward peace and stability,” said Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the AU’s Special Representative for Somalia.
Mogadishu had enjoyed a period of relative calm in recent months as Somali and African Union forces intensified operations against al-Shabab strongholds in central and southern Somalia. The government has vowed to maintain pressure on the extremist group and reinforce security around key national institutions.
