Al-Shabaab stepping up its operations in Somalia

Ahmed Adel

Somalia is now more vulnerable to terrorism by the Al-Shabaab movement as the East African country continues to descend deeper into a political crisis caused by the failure of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to ease the holding of elections after the end of his presidential term last month.

Armed elements affiliated with Al-Shabaab carried out two attacks on March 5, including one in Somali capital Mogadishu.

A booby-trapped vehicle went off, leaving 20 people dead and dozens of others injured.

The second attack took place inside Bosaso prison in the eastern state of Puntland when the terrorists tried to break into the prison.

The two attacks came at a time when Somalia is facing a wave of political unrest in the absence of an agreement between the government and the opposition to organize the next general elections.

Somali police succeeded on Friday in repelling a terrorist attack in Puntland State.

The attack was staged on a security complex that includes a large prison in the coastal city of Bosaso.

The prison is where inmates who were convicted of terrorism are held. Most of the inmates belong to Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State group.

The attack began with an explosion, followed by fierce fighting between security men and the group that launched it.

The security forces succeeded in repelling the attack after getting additional reinforcements.

According to Somali media, three people were killed and five others injured during the attack.

The militants failed in breaking into the prison after facing strong resistance from its guards and security forces.

It is noteworthy that security forces in Puntland launched large-scale operations against the Islamic State group and Al-Shabaab in a mountain range near the city of Bosaso.