Mortar attack hits Mogadishu base housing diplomats

Al-Shabaab’s growing reach raises security concerns in the Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia (MNTV) – Halane base camp, a heavily fortified compound near Mogadishu’s international airport, was struck by multiple mortar rounds early Monday, signaling escalating insecurity in the Somali capital.

At least five mortar shells landed within the base, which houses United Nations offices, Western diplomatic missions, and African Union forces. 

The explosions, audible across Mogadishu, highlight the expanding operations of al-Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked militant group behind intensified attacks nationwide.

Details about casualties or specific targets within the base remain unclear. 

The attack follows a series of similar incidents in recent weeks, challenging the perception of Halane as one of Somalia’s safest locations.

The surge in assaults coincides with mounting pressure on government forces in central Somalia and apparent gaps in urban security measures. 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently warned security officials of potential dismissals if attacks in the capital persisted, but the strikes have continued unabated.

While no group has claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, al-Shabaab is widely suspected, given its history of targeting high-profile locations as part of its campaign to destabilize the internationally supported government.