Foreign media have reported clashes between prisoners and security forces in Somalia, resulting in 8 deaths and 21 injuries. According to RT TV, inmates in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, armed themselves on Sunday, July 14th, and confronted security forces in an attempt to escape from prison.
The skirmish took place at the main prison located in the southern part of the city near the port, where the Al-Shabaab militia group has previously claimed responsibility for several attacks.
Abdikani Khalif, a prison service spokesperson, announced on his social media platform that during this operation, five prisoners and three soldiers were killed, while 21 individuals, mostly prisoners, were injured.
He stated that those organizing this attack were convicted members of the Al-Shabaab militia group affiliated with Al-Qaeda and were sentenced to execution. Al-Shabaab has been fighting for over 17 years to overthrow the central government in Mogadishu.
The Somali government has collaborated with local tribal militias to combat militants in a campaign supported by African Union forces and US airstrikes. However, this joint operation has yet to yield significant results, and earlier this year, Al-Shabaab claimed to have seized several locations in the country’s central region.
Meanwhile, the ongoing violence underscores the challenges faced by Somalia in maintaining security and stability amidst persistent militant activities.
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