JOWHAR (Kaab TV) – Several explosions and armed attacks struck Jowhar overnight raising security concerns in the capital of HirShabelle State as the region prepares for upcoming elections.
According to local sources and security officials, the attacks involved roadside bombs, grenade explosions, and targeted shootings in different parts of the city, with powerful blasts heard across central Jowhar late Sunday night.
The first explosion occurred in the Horseed neighborhood near Laanta Isnaay, where a Somali government security officer identified only as Haaroole was targeted in an apparent assassination attempt. The officer was reportedly injured in the attack and later taken for medical treatment.
A second attack involved a hand grenade thrown at a military camp housing the 3rd Brigade of the Somali National Army, commanded by General Saneey Abdulle, near the Jowhar police station. Soldiers stationed at the camp responded by opening fire shortly after the explosion.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties resulting from the blast or the subsequent exchange of gunfire.
In a separate incident, armed assailants attacked and killed a security officer stationed at a checkpoint in Jowhar before reportedly seizing his weapon and fleeing the scene.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks, although similar incidents in the region have frequently been linked to Al-Shabaab militants, who continue to carry out bombings and targeted assassinations across central and southern Somalia.
Officials from HirShabelle and Somali security agencies had not issued an official statement at the time of publication. However, government and HirShabelle security forces reportedly launched security operations early Monday morning to search for the attackers and restore stability in the city.
The attacks come at a sensitive political moment as Jowhar prepares to host HirShabelle’s upcoming regional elections, which are expected to include the selection of a new parliament and regional president.
Political competition within HirShabelle has intensified in recent months, with rival political figures and clan leaders positioning themselves ahead of the electoral process.
Security analysts warn that the latest violence could further complicate preparations for the elections, particularly as Somali authorities continue efforts to strengthen security institutions and prevent militant groups from disrupting political activities.
Jowhar, located in the Middle Shabelle region, remains one of Somalia’s key administrative and political centers and has repeatedly faced security threats linked to the country’s broader conflict with extremist groups.