Mogadishu Airport and Halane Camp Face Al-Shabaab Mortar Attacks

MOGADISHU, Somalia – In the quiet stillness of the early hours, just as the city was rousing itself from slumber, an unexpected jolt shattered the calm. Al-Shabaab militants launched mortar attacks targeting Mogadishu’s international airport and the adjacent Halane military base. This brazen act once again raised questions about the fragile security state in this East African nation. With two civilians injured and communities rattled, there is much to ponder about the path forward.

The Halane compound, nestled within the Wadajir district, was hit with at least six mortars around 6:05 a.m. local time. Imagine a bustling hub where embassies, international organizations, and the African Union’s AUSSOM mission all intersect. It’s a fortress, heavily guarded and strategically crucial—this attack, though it left no military casualties, was a piercing alarm in the fabric of regional security.

But what about those not shielded by high walls and diplomatic immunity? In the nearby neighborhood of Kaawo Godey, lives were upended. A woman and a young man sustained injuries when rounds struck their area. “We heard a loud explosion near our home. Two people were hurt, and it’s caused a lot of fear,” a local resident, choosing anonymity, shared with Axadle. It’s not just physical wounds—fear has a way of echoing, doesn’t it?

While the AUSSOM confirmed the attack, ensuring that their forces remained unharmed, their words did little to soothe the anxieties rippling through the community. Somali authorities have yet to comment, leaving a vacuum of official reassurance. It’s a stark reminder of the volatility and unpredictability that shadows daily life here.

This occurrence didn’t happen in isolation. Just a day prior, the air around the presidential palace was shaken by mortars, one of which hit the National Theatre, leaving several wounded. Earlier in the week, as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed paid a visit, mortars targeted the Aden Adde International Airport. Violence has also spiked in the Lower Shabelle region, underscoring a troubling crescendo of militant activity.

Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, stands accused—a suspicion that hangs heavy yet unverified. They have showcased a relentless campaign of bombings and mortar attacks recently, setting their sights on governmental and foreign entities in Mogadishu. Their motivations seem clear, yet we are left to wrestle with the implications—how does one persist in the face of such overwhelming pressure?

The most recent assault is more than a current event; it’s a stark illustration of the enduring security problems that plague Somalia’s capital. In immediate response, airlines such as Egypt Air and Turkish Airlines found themselves compelled to delay flights to Mogadishu. Air travel paused, dreams on hold, fear palpable in the air.

The rhythms of Mogadishu are beset by interruptions like these, visceral reminders of the tenuous grip on peace. In the backdrop of international efforts and local resilience, one must ask, where does hope reside in all this tumult? What stories will these streets tell in the coming days, weeks, and months?

It was back in the day when I first visited Mogadishu, and the streets hummed with an indefinable energy—a mix of hope and anxiety that gave the city its unique pulse. The spirit of the people, resilient and unyielding, stood strong. One could only hope that same spirit persists even under the weight of mortar shells and unrest.