Afgoye (KAAB TV) – Authorities and local residents have reported a deadly explosion that struck parts of the Afgoye district in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, resulting in multiple casualties and renewed fears of insecurity in the area.
According to confirmed reports from local media and witnesses, three people were killed and two others sustained injuries when an explosive device detonated in a populated part of Afgoye.
The victims included civilians who were caught in the blast as they went about their daily activities. The injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security analysts and local officials note that the Lower Shabelle region has long been a hotspot for violence, frequently targeted by Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda–linked militant group that continues to wage an insurgency against the Somali government and African Union peacekeeping forces.
Explosions and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks are common tactics used by Al-Shabaab to target government convoys, military checkpoints, and public gatherings. Unfortunately, such attacks often result in heavy civilian casualties and property damage.
Local authorities have condemned the latest explosion, calling it a “cowardly act” aimed at spreading fear among residents. Security forces have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Lower Shabelle region, located in southern Somalia, remains one of the country’s most volatile areas despite ongoing security operations by Somali government troops and international partners.
The Somali government has pledged to intensify its counterterrorism efforts and restore stability to the region.
Residents of Afgoye, a major town about 30 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, continue to live under the shadow of insecurity, hoping that peace and normalcy will one day return to their communities.