On January 27, 2021, al-Shabaab launched multiple attacks on civilian and military sites across Somalia, killing sixteen people and injuring several more. The deadliest attack was an ambush by al-Shabaab on a Somali and AMISOM convoy in Bal'ad, which killed 14 people.
| January 2021 Somalia bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of Somali Civil War (2009-present) | |
| Location | Bal'ad, Dinsoor, and near Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Date | January 27, 2021 |
| Target |  Somali National Army soldiers, civilians |
| Deaths | 18
|
| Injured | 7
|
| Perpetrator |  al-Shabaab |
Background
editAl-Shabaab, a jihadist group that has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2009, began an offensive against Somali National Army forces in Middle Shabelle on January 23. The fighting began with al-Shabaab's capture of the village of Rage-Ceele. Al-Shabaab then began deploying fighters around Somali-controlled cities including Jowhar and Bal'ad.[1]
Attacks
editThe attacks on January 27 were all coordinated by al-Shabaab.[2] The first attack began in Dinsoor, Bay region, at a restaurant while security forces and civilians were dining in the morning.[3] One soldier was killed in the attack and at least five others were wounded.[2] A roadside bomb also injured two construction workers near Mogadishu.[2] Near Bal'ad, a joint Somali and Burundian AMISOM convoy was bombed by al-Shabaab militants, killing an unknown number of people.[2] The bombing sparked clashes between the Somali-Burundian forces and al-Shabaab.[2] Somali reinforcements from Jowhar were also ambushed along the way to the bombing site.[2] Fifteen people were killed in the bombing at Bal'ad, including twelve Somali soldiers, two civilians, and one Burundian peacekeeper.[2] An unknown number of soldiers and peacekeepers were wounded and transported to a hospital in Jowhar.[2]
References
edit- ^ Staff, Horseed (2021-01-23). "SOMALIA: Al-Shabaab launches military offensive in Middle Shabelle". Horseed Media. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Somalia: 16 dead, several injured in 3 bomb blasts". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ "Somalia: Explosion reported in Dinsoor Jan. 27". Somalia: Explosion reported in Dinsoor Jan. 27 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-07-06.