Al-Shabab Members Disguise as Soldiers to Raid Somali Jail
Seven militant attackers who launched an attack on a high-security prison in the capital city have been neutralized, according to official statements.
A huge blast and intense gunfire were heard coming from Godka Jilicow - a complex that holds militant members - in Mogadishu on Saturday evening.
In a communication, the militant group claimed it had released "all detained inmates" from the facility and caused significant casualties on security forces protecting the center.
The militants disguised themselves as soldiers in order to access the detention facility, according to accounts released on the following day.
The authorities did not reveal how many of its personnel were lost during the attack, but expressed condolences to the families of "those who perished."
Similarly, al-Shabab did not provide a death toll for its own militants.
The fighting started at around 16:40 local time (13:40 GMT).
The detention center is situated near the national palace compound, in the heart of Mogadishu. It is operated by Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency and holds al-Shabab members and other high-profile detainees.
The attack represents a major blow to the intelligence agency and is expected to prompt questions about how the militants were able to access one of the most heavily guarded locations in the city.
Al-Shabab is affiliated to the global terrorist network and has conducted a violent campaign against the authorities in the country for almost two decades.
Hours before Saturday's attack occurred, the government had reopened key thoroughfares in the capital which were formerly closed for security concerns, citing progress in the urban safety.
