2025 Mogadishu prison attack

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2025 Mogadishu prison attack
Part of the Somali Civil War
Map
LocationGodka Jilaow prison, Bondhere, Mogadishu, Somalia
Coordinates2°02′21.8″N 45°20′21.7″E / 2.039389°N 45.339361°E / 2.039389; 45.339361
Date4 October 2025
c.4:40 p.m. – (EAT)
TargetNISA sector
Attack type
Suicide bombing, clashes, gunfire, siege
WeaponsExplosives, small arms, Toyota Hilux
Deaths10+ (including seven attackers)
Injuredc.25
Perpetrators al-Shabaab
No. of participants
7

On 4 October 2025, at least ten people were killed and multiple others were injured, and several prisoners escaped following an attack on a National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) prison by the militant group al-Shabaab in Somalia. The militants stormed the high-security underground prison in the capital, Mogadishu.[1][2][3]

Background

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Godka Jilaow, a prison located near the Villa Somalia presidential palace compound, houses several al-Shabaab fighters. Somali government forces engaged in fierce fighting with the attackers.[4]

Al-Shabaab, formed in 2004, has waged an insurgency in southern Somalia since 2007 and made significant advances in the capital, Mogadishu, in 2025.[4]

At least 12 people were killed at the gate of the prison by a car bomb attack by al-Shabaab militants in 2014.[1]

Attack

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The attack occurred at around 4:40 p.m. Explosions followed by gunfire were reported at the prison. The attackers reportedly used explosives and small arms.[5] Somalia's state media reported the heavily armed militants disguised as the intelligence unit's security forces. The Toyota Hilux used in the attack was stopped twice at the presidential palace gates before heading to the prison, preventing an attack. The vehicle passed through seven checkpoints in total without being searched.[6] The attack ended after an hours-long siege that resulted in seven militants being killed and casualties among soldiers and civilians, including fatalities and injuries.[7][8][9] Al Jazeera reported at least three members of the security force were killed during the attack, however, exact number of casualties is unknown, with the Associated Press reporting the government said no civilian or security officers were killed and no prisoners were freed but almost 25 people were injured.[10][11][1]

Reactions

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Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they "freed all Muslim prisoners" and targeted the underground cell guarded by security forces.[12][1]

The federal government ordered crackdown on fake military vehicles after the attack, calling it a "cowardly terrorist attack".[13]

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said they strongly condemned the attack, calling it "cowardly" and saying the group disrupts peace and stability and disregards human life in Mogadishu.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Militants attack major prison in Mogadishu hours after roadblocks lifted". Associated Press. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Second Explosion Rocks Somali Presidential Palace Area | Sada Elbalad". see.news. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  3. ^ Africa, Dawan (4 October 2025). "Al-Shabaab Attacks NISA-Linked Facility in Banadir Region". Dawan Africa. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Somali forces fighting al Shabaab attack on high-security prison". Reuters. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Faahfaahin ku saabsan Dabley katirsan Alshabaab oo weli ka dagaalamaya Godka Jilacow" [Details about Al-Shabaab fighters still fighting in Jilacow Cave] (in Somali). Hiiraan Online. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Weerarkii shalay lagu qaaaday Godka Jilacow oo la ogaaday inuu ku wajahnaa madaxtooyada Soomaaliya" [Yesterday's attack on Godka Jilacow was reportedly aimed at the Somali presidential palace.] (in Somali). Hiiraan Online. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  7. ^ "Somali forces end deadly al-Shabaab siege at Godka Jilaow prison in Mogadishu". Hiiraan Online. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Suspected al-Shabaab militants attack Mogadishu's Godka Jilacow prison". Hiiraan Online. 4 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Somali Troops End Deadly Al-Shabaab Attack on High-Security Intelligence Facility". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Somali government forces end a 6-hour siege at a major prison, killing all 7 attackers". Associated Press. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  11. ^ "Al-Shabab fighters killed in Mogadishu prison assault, Somalia confirms". Al Jazeera. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Al-Shabab militants dress as soldiers to storm Somali jail". BBC News. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Somalia orders crackdown on fake military vehicles after Al-Shabaab attack on Jili'ow facility". Hiiraan Online. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
  14. ^ "AUSSOM Condemns Terrorist Attack on Prison facility in Mogadishu". African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.