The Somalia-based militant Al-Shabab terrorist group is showing signs of a resurgence, taking advantage of the government Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud.
After almost five years Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo government without any major attack, the Al-Qaida-linked group on October 29 detonated two bombs near the ministry of education in Mogadishu at the Zobe junction, a busy market intersection, killing 122 people and critically injuring 310.
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
This was the highest civilian death toll from a single attack in five years that happened in the same month and in the same place where a truck bomb killed more than 500 civilians in 2017.
The attack was vicious, leaving scattered body parts of women and children and patrons in the many restaurants that lined the area.
Just two months after President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud took power, Al-Shabab in July for the first time attacked the Bakool region bordering Ethiopia in which an estimated 17 police officers and civilians were killed.
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
These attacks were probably an attempt to divert attention so that some 500 Al-Shabaab fighters could drive into Ethiopia.
President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, who took office in 15 May 2022. He has unveiled a new strategy to combat the militants that consists of military, ideology and economic elements.
The death toll from twin car bombings in Mogadishu has reached 120 and could rise further because some people are still missing, the country’s health minister said Monday.