MOGADISHU, (HAN) — The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has condemned a deadly attack by Al-Shabaab militants on a high-security prison in Mogadishu on Saturday attack, calling it a desperate attempt to destabilize the country.
Somali officials said heavily armed militants tried to storm the Godka Jilacow detention facility — managed by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) — using explosives and gunfire in an effort to free detained members of the extremist group.
Security forces, backed by NISA’s elite units, fought the attackers for several hours before repelling them. Casualty figures have not been confirmed, but officials said several people, including security officers and civilians, were killed or wounded. Emergency teams rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured.
In a statement, the head of AUSSOM and Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, condemned the assault as “heinous,” saying it demonstrated Al-Shabaab’s continued efforts to undermine peace and stability.
“This attack once again shows the group’s determination to deny the Somali people the security they deserve,” Diene said, praising the Somali Security Forces for their swift and coordinated response. He added that their actions prevented “a potentially catastrophic situation.”
AUSSOM also commended medical personnel for providing rapid assistance to victims and expressed condolences to the families of those killed. The mission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia’s fight against terrorism and efforts to build a stable nation.
The Godka Jilacow prison, one of Somalia’s most secure facilities, houses senior Al-Shabaab figures and others accused of terrorism. Analysts said the assault reflected a desperate bid by the militants to free imprisoned members and demonstrate continued relevance.
Despite recent government operations weakening Al-Shabaab’s networks, the group remains capable of carrying out complex attacks in Mogadishu and beyond. Both AUSSOM and Somali authorities vowed to intensify joint counterterrorism operations following the incident.
