MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants were spotted patrolling the road linking Mogadishu and Afgoye for the second consecutive night on Saturday, manning security checkpoints and searching vehicles, as analysts warn of the potential imminent fall of Somalia’s capital.
The Islamist group’s resurgence comes amid significant territorial gains in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions surrounding Mogadishu, reversing hard-won progress made by Somali forces during a three-year offensive.
“Somali government pretends all is well, under control and that it won’t have to face reality,” tweeted a political and security analyst with the Nairobi-based Sahan Research think-tank.
The group’s rapid advances from multiple directions have raised alarm among security experts, who now view the threat to Mogadishu as increasingly credible.
“Talk of the fall of Mogadishu is no longer wishful thinking or hyperbole; it is a real possibility,” the analyst added.
The Somali government has yet to issue a detailed response to the escalating crisis, leaving residents and observers anxious about the capital’s vulnerability. The situation underscores the fragile security landscape in Somalia, as Al-Shabaab continues to challenge state authority and expand its influence.
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