Somalia’s elite Haramcad police unit successfully repelled an overnight assault by Al-Shabaab militants targeting a major security checkpoint in Mogadishu’s Kahda district, officials confirmed on Monday.
The attack occurred late Sunday at the Buurta Cali Janaale checkpoint, one of the main outposts safeguarding the southern approaches to the capital.
Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions as government forces exchanged fire with militants for nearly 30 minutes.
Security sources told local media that the attackers began the assault with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms before advancing toward the police position.
The Haramcad (Cheetah) police, a highly trained rapid-response unit working alongside the Polizia Militare, engaged the fighters in an intense firefight that forced them to retreat.
In a brief statement, the Haramcad police command said their forces had thwarted an attempt by Al-Shabaab to fire mortars toward central Mogadishu, potentially averting civilian casualties. “The operation took place between Kahda Cemetery and Maracadde area, south of Kahda district,” the statement read, adding that the situation was quickly brought under control.
No casualties were immediately reported among the police or civilians, and officials said an assessment was underway to determine losses sustained by the militants.
The Buurta Cali Janaale checkpoint has been a frequent target of insurgent attacks in recent months due to its strategic location linking Mogadishu to key southern routes used by both civilians and security convoys.
Al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with the al-Qaeda network, has intensified attacks on security installations and government positions in recent weeks as Somali and African Union forces continue joint operations to dismantle its strongholds across southern and central Somalia.
Authorities said the government remains committed to securing the capital and surrounding regions, emphasizing that the latest incident highlights the vigilance and effectiveness of Somali security forces in countering extremist threats.
Al-Shabaab has waged a deadly insurgency in Somalia for over 15 years, seeking to overthrow the internationally backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group continues to carry out bombings, assassinations, and raids despite sustained military pressure.
