Somalia: Explosion in Wardhingley district, Mogadishu, Jan. 16

Event

The Police Commissioner from the Daynile district of the capital Mogadishu, reported to have been traveling north on Mahmud Harbi Street, was targeted by a remote-control improvised explosive device (RCIED) attack between Florenza Junction and the Wardhigley District Police Station in the capital on Tuesday, January 16.  The commissioner is said to have survived the attack and no other casualties have been reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although Al-Shabaab is highly suspected.

Context

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of Somalia and attacks from the group are frequent in the country, including in Mogadishu. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructures in a bid to topple the Western- and UN-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

Advice

Individuals in Mogadishu are advised to remain abreast of the situation and avoid the area of the incident.

Due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present throughout Somalia are advised to avoid government and institutional buildings as well as political events due to Al-Shabaab's tendency to target political figures and security forces. Because of extremely poor security conditions, travel should only be considered with appropriate security precautions in place.