Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants launch mortar attack near Aden Adde airport

Suspected al-Shabaab militants launched a mortar attack near Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia, local officials said.

Several fragmentation mortar rounds were reportedly fired towards the airport, which is located in a heavily fortified part of the capital, Caliber.Az reports via Somali media.

The area is home to numerous foreign embassies and offices of international organisations.

Authorities are still assessing the impact of the strike. It remains unclear whether there were any casualties or material damage.

To recall, Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, continues to pose a significant threat in Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa region. Recent operations by Somali security forces have targeted the group's leadership and infrastructure.

In May 2025, Somali forces conducted six airstrikes in the Hiran region's El-Hareeri area, resulting in the deaths of 45 al-Shabaab militants, including a top leader responsible for mortar attacks in Mogadishu since 2023.

Additionally, in April 2025, the Somali army, with support from the U.S. Africa Command, killed 47 al-Shabaab terrorists in separate attacks, including an airstrike on Aadan Yabaal, a strategic town in the Middle Shabelle region.

Despite these efforts, al-Shabaab remains resilient. In April 2025, the group seized control of Adan Yabaal after a fierce firefight with the Somali army, highlighting the ongoing challenges in stabilizing the region.

Furthermore, in March 2025, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived an assassination attempt by al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, underscoring the group's continued capability to target high-profile individuals

By Aghakazim Guliyev