MOGADISHU, Somalia – Concerns over casualties are rising after Al-Shabab militants launched a mortar attack on Afgoye, a town located 30 kilometers southwest of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Monday.
The attack coincided with a visit by Banaadir regional police chief Moalim Mahdi, who was in the area to oversee operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked group. Militants fired 12 mortars, targeting the local administrative headquarters and a military base.
According to local sources, the assault resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and one civilian. Several others sustained injuries, with authorities working to confirm the full extent of the damage.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosions caused panic among residents, forcing some to flee their homes as security forces scrambled to respond. Emergency responders were seen evacuating the wounded to medical facilities in Afgoye and Mogadishu for treatment.
Security forces have since heightened their presence in the area, conducting search operations to prevent further attacks. Government officials have condemned the assault, vowing to intensify military campaigns against Al-Shabab to secure the region.
This latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabab militants, who continue to target government and security installations despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts by federal government.
