Somali regional security forces have seized a cache of explosives allegedly intended for an attack in Mogadishu, disrupting what officials described as an Al-Shabaab plot amid heightened pre-election security.
According to security officials, troops from South West State’s October 14 Brigade intercepted 10 high-powered landmines on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, in the Number 50 area, a key corridor frequently used to access the capital. The explosives were reportedly being transported toward Mogadishu before being stopped.
The commander of the October 14 Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Abdirahman Mohamed Munye, said the operation was made possible by actionable intelligence received from local residents. He stated that the landmines were intended to be detonated in Mogadishu, posing a serious threat to civilians.
“Thank God, we were able to thwart the Khawarij’s plot to harm civilians,” Lt. Col. Munye told the media, using the government’s term for Al-Shabaab. “These landmines were meant to be used against the people of Mogadishu.”
The commander praised residents of the Number 50 area for their cooperation, noting that timely community information played a crucial role in preventing the explosives from reaching the capital.
The seizure comes as Somali authorities have tightened security measures across Mogadishu ahead of upcoming local council elections. Security agencies have expanded checkpoints, patrols, and monitoring along major roads and entry points into the city to counter potential militant threats.
Officials say the interception highlights both the ongoing security challenges posed by Al-Shabaab and the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led operations supported by local communities, as authorities work to safeguard civilians during the sensitive pre-election period.
