Deadly roadside bomb near Mogadishu raises concerns over renewed insecurity

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A roadside bomb blast on Thursday killed two clan elders and injured their bodyguards on the outskirts of Mogadishu, highlighting the persistent threat of violence in areas surrounding Somalia’s capital despite a recent lull in attacks.

The explosion occurred in the village of Jabad Geelle, in the Elasha Biyaha area roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Mogadishu, according to security officials. The elders, identified as Ali Kadawe and Mohamed Omar, were reportedly assessing land ownership in the area — a sensitive issue that has fueled frequent disputes and occasional violence in the region.

Their two security guards sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital in Mogadishu. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities say no arrests have been made so far.

Security forces from both the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) arrived at the scene and launched an investigation.

Though Somalia has seen a decline in roadside bombings compared to previous years, the incident has alarmed residents who fear a resurgence of insecurity in rural areas around the capital.

“People were starting to feel some sense of calm, but this attack has brought back fear,” said a local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The federal government has not issued an official statement, but the attack comes amid an ongoing national security campaign aimed at clearing militant threats and stabilizing the capital’s surrounding regions.

Analysts warn that localized conflicts, especially over land and resources, are increasingly becoming flashpoints for targeted violence — sometimes exploited by extremist groups or criminal networks.

GAROWE ONLINE