To summarize, the events are categorized into two main parts:
A) Internal security and intelligence
B) Politics and foreign intelligence
As detailed below:
1. Attacks that devastated security forces, killing the highest number of troops in Somali history, including the seizure of military equipment and vehicles — all due to intelligence failure.
2. Targeted assassinations of NISA officers.
3. Bombings targeting civilians and government facilities across eight regions in the country.
4. Attacks that crippled businesses in Mogadishu — the 2022 Soobe bombing being the deadliest.
5. Assassination attempt on President Qoorqoor.
6. Assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh in Dhusamareb.
7. Assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh in Maxaas District.
8. A planned ambush during the President’s visit to Galcad.
9. A top NISA officer defected with critical intelligence, including war strategies and drone targets, handing it to the enemy — completely compromising operations.
10. Defamation and attacks against the leading national telecom company, Hormuud.
11. Arrests of Hormuud executives abroad after the company was blacklisted.
12. Intelligence failure to uncover the contents of the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU.
13. A failed anti-corruption campaign targeting key figures like Prof. Mohamed Aden Jimale Koofi, intended to divide the government and the public.
HOW MANY VEHICLE-BORNE BOMBINGS OCCURRED?
In this short period, 173 explosions took place in Somali territory. These included vehicle bombs, suicide bombings, roadside mines, and mortar attacks.
Of these, 137 involved vehicles or suicide bombers, broken down as follows:
• 78 targeted military camps in 8 regions: Lower Juba, Gedo, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and Mudug.
• 12 targeted Jubaland forces in Sanguuni (3 times), Janaay Cabdalle, and Cabdalle Biroole.
• 24 occurred in Mogadishu.
• 6 in Beledweyne
• 3 in Maxaas
• 2 in Buuloburte (bridge & mosque)
• 2 in Jalalaqsi
• 1 in Ceel-Gaal, killing General Takar
• 2 in Dhusamareeb, during the President’s visit
• 1 in Hotel Nur Doob (Jowhar)
• 1 targeting the Galmudug President using a cargo truck
• 2 in Rabdhuure
• 3 in Yeed and Aato on July 20, 2022, injuring many Liyu Police troops
MAJOR DATES OF DEADLY ATTACKS:
1. Sept 29, 2022 – Ceel-Qooxle
2. Oct 12, 2022 – Yasooman
3. Jan 5, 2023 – Maxaas
4. Jan 6, 2023 – Hilowle-Gaab
5. Jan 17, 2023 – Xawaadleey
6. Feb 16, 2023 – Baar Sanguuni (×3)
7. Jan 20, 2023 – Galcad
8. Mar 7 – Janaay Cabdalle
9. Mar 25 – Ruun-Nirgood
10. Apr 19, 2023 – Budbud
11. May 26, 2023 – Buulo-Mareer
12. May 30, 2023 – Masagawaay
13. July 5, 2023 – Gerileey, Gedo
14. July 24, 2023 – Jaalle Siyaad University
15. July 15, 2023 – Daynile District
16. July 29, 2022 – Baydhabo attack that killed the South West Minister of Justice
17. Aug 26, 2023 – Coowsweyne
18. Sept 5, 2023 – President attacked in Maxaas
19. Sept 12, 2023 – Awdheegle
20. Sept 15, 2023 – Ceel-Lahelay
21. Oct 15, 2023 – Burijeed
22. Jan 24, 2024 – Deadly attack in Caad, Mudug
23. Attack in Ceel-Bacad
24. Booco attack killing Col. Barre
25. Jeexjeexa attack killing (Suulnuuge)
26. Feb 21, 2023 – NISA-linked house bombed where wounded Macawisley militia were being treated
27. Jilib Marka attack killing Liban Golcad
MAJOR ATTACKS IN MOGADISHU:
• Soobe bombing
• Villa Rose
• Hotel Xayaat
• Elit Hotel
• Gordon camp
• Xalane and Aden Adde Airport
• Bakara Market
• Pearl Beach, Liido
• Banadir regional headquarters
• Banadir sanitation office in Ifka Xalan
• 4 attacks in Daynile
• 4 attacks on Hormuud Telecom
• General Maslax camp attack
• March 14, 2024 – The bombing that led to the dismissal of the former NISA director
SENIOR OFFICERS KILLED:
Although full numbers are not listed to avoid pleasing the enemy, high-ranking officers killed during Mahad Salad’s term include:
• Gen. Farxaan Qaroole – Basra
• Gen. Abdullahi Qaanso – Mogadishu
• Gen. Abdullahi Waafoow – Marka
• Lt. Col. Abdirahman Bakaal Kooke – Gedo
• Lt. Col. Ali Naasir – Mudug
• Lt. Col. Ali Qaxooti – Mudug
• Lt. Col. Shaah-Macabe – Galgaduud
• Lt. Col. Barre – Booco, Hiiraan
• Lt. Col. Shataqeey
• Emirati Officer – Banadir
• 97 other officers killed in the above-listed attacks
Also, the Minister of Security, Mr. Doodishe, was wounded in an attack.
CONCLUSION:
In 23 months, Somalia saw more attacks than ever recorded. No previous period has seen such intense destruction — a time when the national intelligence agency fell to its lowest point, to the extent the President couldn’t even defend the security scandal.
Example: In the first year under Mahad Salad:
• 79 car bombings occurred.
Under the current NISA Director, in over one year:
• Only 14 bombings reported, including:
1. Top Coffee
2. Liido
3. Geeldoox
4. Vehicle bomb near the Police School
5. Beledweyne bombing
• 9 targeting military camps
Final Question:
Is there even a single letter in this document that can be denied or proven false — or shared with the public as inaccurate?
Written by:
Ali Abdi Wardhere (Cali Yare)
Former Head of Security, Banadir Region
About The Author
