State Minister of Defence Omar Ali Abdi made the announcement Monday, praising the soldier’s “extraordinary bravery” in intercepting the attackers before they could advance toward Villa Somalia, the seat of the presidency.
Abdi downplayed the impact of the incident, describing it as consistent with terrorist acts seen worldwide, and emphasized that Mogadishu remains largely stable.
“The assault on Jilicow is comparable to terrorist attacks that occur in other countries. Security in Mogadishu has improved significantly, only one major explosion has occurred in the past year,” he said.
Saturday’s raid was among the most audacious by Al-Shabaab in recent months, highlighting the group’s continued ability to stage coordinated strikes despite ongoing military offensives in central and southern Somalia.
The Jilicow detention facility is used to hold high-profile Al-Shabaab operatives and terror suspects. The attack comes amid renewed government campaigns, supported by local militias and international partners, to reclaim remaining militant strongholds and secure the capital.
While Al-Shabaab has suffered territorial setbacks, the group’s capacity to mount complex assaults in urban centers remains a central challenge for Somalia’s security forces.
