Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Godka Jilacow prison in Mogadishu on Saturday evening after detonating a car bomb at the perimeter. Witnesses reported a large blast in the Boondheere district at 7:30 p.m., followed by heavy gunfire that lasted nearly an hour. The facility houses terrorism suspects, and it operates as a command center for intelligence operations against the militant group.
Security forces contained the attackers before they reached detention cells, but ambulances transported casualties to hospitals. The National Intelligence and Security Agency runs the compound, which has been targeted before in a 2014 assault that killed dozens. Al-Shabaab has conducted four major offensives this year as part of its campaign to overthrow the federal government.
Security forces contained the attackers before they reached detention cells, but ambulances transported casualties to hospitals. The National Intelligence and Security Agency runs the compound, which has been targeted before in a 2014 assault that killed dozens. Al-Shabaab has conducted four major offensives this year as part of its campaign to overthrow the federal government.
