Mogadishu, Somalia – Heavy gunfire and explosions echoed across Mogadishu’s Kahda district late Monday night after Al-Shabaab militants launched a surprise ambush on Somali special forces trained by Türkiye. Residents described hours of intense fighting marked by the use of mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, leaving several casualties on both sides.
The confrontation broke out shortly after nightfall when the insurgents attacked a convoy of Somali troops conducting security operations on the southern outskirts of the capital. Witnesses said the exchange of fire rattled nearby neighborhoods, forcing families to take cover as the battle raged through the night.
“There were explosions and gunshots everywhere. It felt like a war zone,” said one resident, who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “The soldiers fought bravely, but the militants came in waves.”
Although official statements have not yet been released, security sources suggested that a number of government troops were wounded, while several Al-Shabaab fighters were reportedly killed. Ambulances were seen rushing to and from the scene in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The attack comes at a tense moment for Mogadishu, as authorities ramp up security ahead of next month’s local elections—the first such polls in decades that will allow citizens in the capital to vote directly for district representatives. The assault appears aimed at undermining growing confidence in the city’s fragile stability.
Turkish-trained Somali units, often referred to as “Gorgor” forces, have played a crucial role in urban counterinsurgency operations, pushing militants out of key areas over the past two years. However, Al-Shabaab has increasingly resorted to ambushes and guerrilla tactics to maintain its influence and disrupt security efforts in and around the capital.
As calm returned to Kahda by dawn, residents were left to reckon with the night’s chaos and uncertainty. Many expressed fears that similar attacks could intensify as the election period draws closer, testing both the resilience of the Somali security apparatus and the government’s ability to safeguard the democratic process.