In the fading light of Saturday evening, Mogadishu was shaken by a violent reminder that its long war is far from over.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a truck carrying armed fighters disguised as Somali intelligence officers stormed the gates of Godka Jilow — the notorious underground prison and intelligence headquarters in Somalia’s capital.
The Story of Al-Shabaab Assault on Godka Jilow Prison
For years, Godka Jilow — located less than a kilometer from the presidential palace — has symbolized the government’s strength in its fight against Al-Shabaab.
But the attackers, dressed in National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) uniforms, drove straight through the recently cleared streets of Mogadishu, carrying explosives powerful enough to rattle the city.
Residents nearby described an explosion so loud it shook the neighborhood, followed by hours of relentless gunfire.
“I thought Mogadishu was finally safe again,” said local resident Malyun Omar Sharif, who lives near the blast site.
“But that night, I held my son close as bullets echoed until dawn.”
Fears of Inside Leak
For nearly seven hours, gun battles raged inside the fortified compound as militants attempted to free captured comrades held in underground cells.
Al-Shabaab’s radio station, Radio Andalus, later claimed responsibility, boasting that their fighters had “liberated” prisoners and inflicted casualties on Somali intelligence forces.
According to intelligence officials who spoke under anonymity, the attack coincided precisely with a meeting of senior NISA officers — raising fears of an inside leak.
“They struck at the exact moment the leadership was gathered,” one official told Drop Site News.
“They had to know what was happening inside.”
The Attack on Godka Jilow is a Severe Blow for Somalia’s Government Credibility
By 2 a.m., the Somali government declared the siege over, confirming that seven attackers had been killed. However, officials declined to reveal whether any detainees escaped or whether senior officers were among the dead.
Videos later surfaced online showing several suspects re-arrested, but uncertainty lingers.
Security analysts say the attack dealt a severe blow to the government’s credibility.
“It’s a self-inflicted wound,” said Abukar Arman, a former Somali envoy to the U.S. “Removing checkpoints to show progress — only for Al-Shabaab to strike at the heart of the intelligence apparatus — undermines everything.”
Fragile Security in Somalia
Al-Shabaab assault on Godka Jilow is more than a terrorist attack; it’s a chilling reminder that Somalia’s security remains fragile.
As the government vows to restore control, many in Mogadishu fear that peace in the capital — so recently celebrated — may once again be slipping through their fingers.
Source: Drop Site News
