Two Al-Shabaab Members Killed While Planting Explosives in Mahaday, Police Say

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MAHADAY: Police in HirShabelle state say they have killed two suspected Al-Shabaab members who were allegedly planting two explosive devices in a livestock market in Mahaday district.

The two men were killed on Thursday night after police received information about an alleged attempt to plant explosives in the market, according to the commander of Mahaday police station, Lieutenant Colonel Suleyman Cowsey.

He said officers moved quickly to the area and confronted the two suspects before they could complete their operation.

Police later displayed the bodies of the two men and one of the explosive devices they said had been recovered from the livestock market. The second device exploded, according to the police account.

The incident highlights the continued threat posed by improvised explosive devices in parts of central Somalia, where Al-Shabaab has used explosives and other attacks to target security forces and civilians.

Mahaday is in Middle Shabelle, an area where Somali government forces and allied local forces have been conducting operations against Al-Shabaab as part of efforts to expand government control and improve security.

Security agencies have repeatedly urged residents to provide information about suspected militant activity, particularly in areas where armed groups attempt to move or operate among civilian communities.

There was no independent confirmation of the police account or details of any civilian casualties in the incident.