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Casualties feared after Al-Shabab launches suicide attack on Moqokori district, as militants stormed the strategic town in Somalia’s Hiiraan region early Monday in a coordinated assault that has left residents reeling and security forces scrambling to regain control. The attack began with a powerful suicide bombing targeting a gathering of local security personnel and civilians, followed by intense gunfire as Al-Shabab fighters attempted to overrun the district.
Local sources reported that the explosion struck near a government checkpoint where Somali National Army (SNA) troops and Ma’awisley militia were stationed. The blast was followed by a fierce firefight that lasted several hours, with both sides suffering casualties. While the exact number of dead and injured remains unconfirmed, eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with ambulances ferrying the wounded to nearby medical facilities and families fleeing the area in fear of further violence.
The attack comes amid heightened military activity in Moqokori, where government forces have been mobilizing in recent weeks to launch offensives against Al-Shabab strongholds in Hiiraan and neighboring Middle Shabelle. Security officials had previously warned of possible retaliatory strikes by the group, which has been under pressure from a series of joint operations by the SNA and local militia fighters.
Moqokori, a key logistical hub in central Somalia, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict. The district’s strategic location makes it a vital corridor for troop movements and supply chains. Al-Shabab’s assault is seen as an attempt to disrupt these operations and reassert control in a region where the group has suffered significant territorial losses.
Residents say the attack has deepened fears of renewed instability. “We heard a massive explosion before dawn, followed by heavy gunfire,” said one local elder. “People are terrified. Many have already fled to nearby villages.”
The Somali government has yet to issue an official statement, but military sources confirmed that reinforcements have been dispatched to the area. The situation remains fluid, with reports suggesting that Al-Shabab fighters may have temporarily seized parts of the district before being pushed back by government forces.
This latest assault underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabab, despite ongoing military campaigns aimed at dismantling its network. The group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, has increasingly resorted to asymmetric tactics such as suicide bombings and hit-and-run attacks to destabilize regions under government control.
Analysts warn that unless the Somali government secures sustainable funding and logistical support for its counterinsurgency operations, such attacks will continue to undermine progress. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which recently replaced ATMIS, is expected to play a key role in bolstering security, but its success hinges on predictable international backing.
As the dust settles in Moqokori, the full toll of the attack is still emerging. For now, the district remains on edge, with residents bracing for potential follow-up assaults and humanitarian agencies assessing the needs of those displaced.