Al-Shabab militants launched a major assault on Godka Jilow, a high-security underground prison in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, killing at least three security officers before all seven attackers were shot dead. The assailants, dressed in military uniforms and using vehicles disguised as intelligence agency convoys, managed to breach multiple checkpoints before detonating a car bomb at the prison gate and opening fire. The facility, located near the presidential palace, is known for housing al-Shabab fighters, and the group said the attack aimed to free imprisoned members.
The assault came just hours after the government reopened major roads in Mogadishu for the first time in over a decade, claiming improved security. The attack, however, raised serious doubts about those claims, given that it occurred in one of the most heavily guarded areas of the city. The Ministry of Internal Security said the attackers’ use of official-looking vehicles allowed them to bypass inspections meant to protect the capital.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s government since 2007 and remains the most powerful extremist group in East Africa. Despite recent government offensives, the militants have regained territory and carried out a string of deadly attacks, including an attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s lifeearlier this year. The ongoing conflict has displaced nearly 60,000 people since January, according to reports.
Security analysts warn that the Mogadishu prison assault reveals a disconnect between government optimism and on-the-ground reality. Expert Samira Gaid said the attack demonstrated that al-Shabab retains the capability to strike deep inside the capital and near key government sites. “They’re not weakened,” she explained. “They’re simply waiting for the right moment to strike.” The bold assault underscores the persistent fragility of Somalia’s security despite official claims of progress.
Source:
Ali, F. (2025, October 5). Al-Shabab fighters killed in Mogadishu prison assault, Somalia confirms. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/al-shabab-fighters-killed-in-mogadishu-prison-assault-somalia-confirms