Al-Shabaab steps up attacks amid a decline in army Ops

Since the U.S. forces were pulled out of the country last year under the order of former President Donald Trump, there have been fewer airstrikes in the country.

News Keydmedia Online
11 May 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Al-Qaeda-linked terror group Al-Shabaab has intensified attacks in Somalia as the Horn of Africa nation is holding long-delayed elections.

Since the U.S. forces were pulled out of the country last year under the order of former President Donald Trump, there have been fewer airstrikes in the country.

The decline in counter-terrorism gave Al-Shabaab a chance to organize deadly terrorist attacks targeting high-profile targets and AU and Somali military bases.

On May 3, dozens of Burundian peacekeepers were killed, several still missing after Al-Shabaab stormed their base camp in El-Baraf town in Middle Shabelle province.

This week, the militants carried out three bomb attacks, the latest occurred on Wednesday at the NISA checkpoint along KM4 road leading to Mogadishu airport.

At least four people were killed and seven others wounded in the suicide attack by a bomber who targeted a senior military official named Gen Garabey, per the police.

One soldier lost his life and another was injured in a roadside blast near Jowhar that followed another similar attack on an Ethiopian convoy heading to Wajid in Bakool.

Al-Shabaab attempts to disrupt the ongoing election in Somalia by staging a series of gun and bomb attacks, mostly happening in the capital, the seat of the government.

The country’s 329-seat parliament is set to elect a new president on Sunday, May 15 at the airport hanger due to security concerns. 39 candidates are vying for the seat.

KEYDMEDIA English