Somalia: Jihadists attempted to escape – several dead

Five prisoners who are said to have belonged to the jihadist group al-Shabaab and three guards were killed in a shooting in connection with an escape attempt from a prison in Mogadishu, Somalia.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 13 2024

Somalia: Jihadists attempted to escape – several dead
Photo: Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP/TT

Share this article

Five prisoners who allegedly belonged to the jihadist group al-Shabaab and three guards were killed in a shooting incident in connection with an escape attempt from a prison in Mogadishu, Somalia.

An additional 18 inmates were injured in the incident.

The extremists had managed to obtain weapons and made what appeared to be a well-planned escape attempt, according to security sources.

Violent elements tried to spread fear in the central prison. Investigations are ongoing and the injured are receiving care, said Abdiqani Khalaf, a colonel within the correctional services.

Neighboring residents report hearing grenade explosions and machine gun fire. An explosion inside the prison was followed by a shootout.

The Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab has been trying to overthrow the government in Mogadishu for over 17 years. The government has teamed up with local militias to combat the terrorist group, and receives support from forces from the African Union and American airstrikes.

The offensive against the terrorist group has, however, suffered setbacks. Al-Shabaab has previously this year claimed to have taken control of several towns in the country's central regions.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Turkey Closes Airspace to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
1 MIN READ

Turkey Closes Airspace to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Trump Ends Kamala Harris' Extended Bodyguard Protection
1 MIN READ

Trump Ends Kamala Harris' Extended Bodyguard Protection

Nearly 50 Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania Coast
1 MIN READ

Nearly 50 Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania Coast

UN Reports 841 Executions in Iran This Year
1 MIN READ

UN Reports 841 Executions in Iran This Year

Gaza Declared a Dangerous War Zone as Ceasefire Canceled
2 MIN READ

Gaza Declared a Dangerous War Zone as Ceasefire Canceled

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Resigns After Conviction
1 MIN READ

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Resigns After Conviction

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025
1 MIN READ

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025

Lithuanian Defense Minister Criticizes Putin at EU Meeting
3 MIN READ

Lithuanian Defense Minister Criticizes Putin at EU Meeting

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation
2 MIN READ

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation

BBC Investigation Reveals Nasser Hospital Hit Four Times in Gaza Attack
2 MIN READ

BBC Investigation Reveals Nasser Hospital Hit Four Times in Gaza Attack

Thailand Awaits Verdict on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
3 MIN READ

Thailand Awaits Verdict on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra

Wife of South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Suk-Yeol Faces Charges
1 MIN READ

Wife of South Korea's Ex-President Yoon Suk-Yeol Faces Charges

USA Approves $7.8 Billion Weapons Package for Ukraine
1 MIN READ

USA Approves $7.8 Billion Weapons Package for Ukraine

Retrial Ordered for Former Officers in Tyre Nichols Case
1 MIN READ

Retrial Ordered for Former Officers in Tyre Nichols Case

Shooter Fires 120 Rounds in Minneapolis Church, Killing Two Children
2 MIN READ

Shooter Fires 120 Rounds in Minneapolis Church, Killing Two Children

Hungary Blocks Ukrainian Commander Over Oil Pipeline Dispute
1 MIN READ

Hungary Blocks Ukrainian Commander Over Oil Pipeline Dispute

Polish Air Force F16 Crash During Exercise Kills Pilot
1 MIN READ

Polish Air Force F16 Crash During Exercise Kills Pilot

Trump to Address UN General Assembly in New York
1 MIN READ

Trump to Address UN General Assembly in New York

Haiti Faces Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Escalating Violence and Instability
3 MIN READ

Haiti Faces Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Escalating Violence and Instability

Kyiv Struggles to Counter Escalating Russian Drone and Missile Attacks
2 MIN READ

Kyiv Struggles to Counter Escalating Russian Drone and Missile Attacks