All Seven Al-Shabab Attackers Killed After Deadly Mogadishu Prison Assault
All seven attackers who stormed a major prison complex in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, have been killed after an hours-long gun battle, the Somali government has confirmed. The attackers, identified as members of the al-Shabab armed group, targeted the Godka Jilow prison — an underground facility known to hold detained al-Shabab fighters — early Saturday. According to officials, the assault began with a powerful car bomb explosion at the prison’s entrance, followed by intense gunfire and multiple explosions that echoed across the city. Three members of Somalia’s security forces were also killed while repelling the attack. In a statement, al-Shabab — an al-Qaeda affiliate — claimed responsibility, saying the operation aimed to free its imprisoned members. A security officer stationed at the facility told Reuters, “We heard a huge blast at the cell gate and soon an exchange of gunfire started. […]