The US Embassy in Mogadishu has touched off a flurry of security moves after warning of a looming Al-Shabaab attack.
The embassy sent out an alert to Americans in Somalia, informing them that it was tracking “credible information” related to potential imminent attacks against multiple locations in Somalia including Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport.
The advisory followed increasing reports of an increase in Al-Shabaab attacks across central Somalia, where the militant fighters have waged synchronised assaults, seized key towns, and taken control of districts close to the capital.
The latest is Balcad, 30km north of Mogadishu, which they took control of at the end of February.
The US Embassy stated, “All movements of US Embassy Mogadishu personnel have been cancelled until further notice,” citing ‘credible information’ about the threats.
Urging US citizens to avoid travel due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy, the embassy underlined that the US Department of State’s ‘Level Four’ travel advisory for Somalia’ remains in effect.
Level Four is the ranking of security threats which often means an advisory against travelling to a location deemed unsafe.
Since mid-February, Al-Shabaab has waged nearly half a dozen attacks across Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions in Hirshabelle State, temporarily seizing several towns, including Balcad before being repelled by Somali forces.
The security alert appeared after weeks of intensified militant activity, suggesting weakening Somali counterinsurgency efforts.
Despite an offensive by Somalia assisted by African Union peacekeepers, and backed by US Africa Command (AFRICOM), especially with airstrikes on Al-Shabaab positions, the latest drawbacks signal the resilience of al-Shabaab.
The concerted efforts by Somalia and its partners had yielded some positive results such as the killing of 130 militants in a recent counteroffensive, according to a dispatch from the defence ministry in February.
Nevertheless, Al-Shabaab published photos of its fighters occupying government buildings in multiple locations, raising anxiety about the group’s ability to regroup and exploit security gaps.
The Embassy emphasised that ‘terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks’ in Somalia, often with little or no warning.
The US warning indicated that high-risk targets include government buildings, military convoys, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and other public gathering spaces frequented by Westerners.
The militants have regularly used car bombs, suicide attacks, small-arms assaults, and mortar fire in the latest operations.
As per the statement, the embassy its limited capacity to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Somalia due to the lack of a permanent consular presence.
Thus, American citizens currently in the country have been urged to exercise heightened caution, remain vigilant, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time security updates.
The US is hugely involved in the war on extremist groups in Somalia such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS, employing airstrikes on insurgent positions and training and logistical support to units of Somali National Army.
