In a brazen attack, Al-Shabaab militants fired multiple rockets into Mogadishu’s highly fortified Green Zone on Thursday, coinciding with the arrival of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for a two-day working visit. The assault targeted the Aden Adde International Airport and surrounding areas, prompting a rapid security response ¹.
The attack involved at least three missile strikes and several rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) blasts, which were heard in the vicinity of the airport. Mortar shells also hit areas near the airport before Prime Minister Abiy’s plane landed. Security forces are still assessing the damage and have yet to confirm casualties.
In response to the attack, authorities imposed strict movement restrictions, shutting down key roads and suspending domestic and international flights, except for Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines. Personnel in the Green Zone were instructed to take shelter in reinforced bunkers and wear body armor and ballistic helmets.
Government forces launched an immediate sweep operation to secure the affected areas. The attack highlights the persistent security challenges posed by Al-Shabaab, which continues to demonstrate its capability to strike high-profile targets, even within Mogadishu’s most secure zones.
This incident comes on the heels of similar attacks by Al-Shabaab on Baidoa’s Shatigudud Airport and Barawe Airport in Southwest State, where Ethiopian and Ugandan forces are stationed ¹. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has also condemned a recent mortar attack in the Halane area of Mogadishu ².
