Al-Shabaab patrols Mogadishu outskirts at night as Somalia’s government touts improved security

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Residents on the western outskirts of Mogadishu say heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants have been openly patrolling populated neighborhoods after sunset in recent nights, raising fresh security concerns despite repeated claims by Somalia’s federal government that security in the capital has improved dramatically and that the insurgent threat has been reduced to zero, Caasimada Online news website reported on Friday.

Residents of Elasha Biyaha and Ma’aane, located about 10 to 15 kilometers west of Mogadishu, told local media that groups of Al-Shabaab militants enter the neighborhoods every evening after dark in Toyota Noah and other vehicles before moving through residential streets.

According to residents, the militants sometimes knock on the doors of homes and question occupants about activities in the neighborhoods, including whether anyone is cooperating with Somalia’s security forces.

Residents said the nighttime patrols have become a routine occurrence.

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and police maintain bases in both Elasha Biyaha and Ma’aane. The installations are intended to strengthen security around Mogadishu and monitor the movement of people and vehicles entering and leaving the capital.

Residents, however, say the situation changes after sunset.

According to residents, security personnel retreat into their bases at night while Al-Shabaab militants move through the neighborhoods freely and without fear.

Residents said the militants routinely arrive in Toyota Noah and other vehicles, describing their presence as part of nightly life in the two neighborhoods and nearby settlements.

Some residents also said they no longer report militant movements to security agencies because previous calls and messages allegedly received no response.

According to the residents, repeated failures by security agencies to respond to information about Al-Shabaab movements have discouraged people from contacting the authorities with intelligence about militant activity.

The reported patrols come as attacks have become increasingly common in the western outskirts of Mogadishu. Local news outlet Caasimada Online reported that roadside explosions and other militant attacks have become frequent in Elasha Biyaha and Ma’aane, with the latest incident involving a roadside bomb targeting security forces in Ma’aane.

Somalia’s federal government and the country’s security agencies have not publicly addressed the reported nighttime militant presence in the neighborhoods.

The reports contrast with repeated statements by Somali authorities that Mogadishu is experiencing its strongest security environment in more than two decades following operations by the country’s security forces.

The reports from residents of Elasha Biyaha and Ma’aane, however, point to continuing security concerns on the western edge of Mogadishu as heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants are reported to be moving through populated neighborhoods under the cover of darkness.

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