A tragic incident unfolded in Mogadishu as a powerful car bomb explosion rocked a café filled with football fans watching the Euro 2024 final, resulting in the death of five individuals and injuring around 20 others. The blast, reportedly caused by Al-Shabaab terrorists, created a massive fireball and plumes of smoke, causing chaos and devastation in the heart of the city.
While the Somali government has been actively combating the insurgency led by Al-Shabaab, recent events, including a prison break attempt by five Al-Shabaab fighters resulting in fatalities, highlight the ongoing threat posed by the militant group. The Somali President has pledged to intensify efforts against the jihadists, with support from African Union forces and US airstrikes.
Despite setbacks, including recent claims of capturing strategic locations, Al-Shabaab’s influence persists in rural Somalia, leading to continued violence and instability in the region. The African Union’s planned troop withdrawal from Somalia faces challenges, with calls to slow down the process to ensure a smooth transition of security responsibilities.