Al-Shabab Fighters Disguise as Military Personnel to Storm Somali Prison
Seven militant fighters who launched an assault on a maximum-security detention facility in Somalia's capital have been neutralized, according to official statements.
An enormous blast and sustained gunfire were reported coming from the detention center - a facility that holds al-Shabab fighters - in Mogadishu on Saturday evening.
In a communication, the militant group claimed it had freed "every detained prisoners" from the prison and caused heavy losses on security forces guarding the center.
The militants disguised themselves as military personnel in order to access the prison, according to reports released on the following day.
The government did not disclose how many of its personnel were lost during the incident, but expressed sympathies to the families of "the fallen heroes."
Likewise, the militant organization did not release a death toll for its affiliated militants.
The confrontation started at around 4:40 PM local time (13:40 GMT).
Godka Jilicow is situated near the national palace compound, in the heart of Mogadishu. It is operated by Somalia's intelligence service and detains militant members and other high-profile prisoners.
The attack represents a major setback to the intelligence agency and is expected to raise concerns about how the attackers were able to enter one of the most heavily guarded areas in the capital.
The militant group is affiliated to the global terrorist network and has conducted a brutal campaign against the authorities in Somalia for nearly 20 years.
Hours before the incident took place, the government had reopened key roads in the capital which were previously blocked for security concerns, pointing to improvements in the city's safety.
