| September 2022 Hiran bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of Somali Civil War (2009-present) | |
| Location | near Beledweyne, Hiran Region, Somalia |
| Date | September 3, 2022 |
| Deaths | 21 |
| Perpetrator |  al-Shabaab |
On September 3, 2022, militants from al-Shabaab ambushed a civilian bus traveling from Beledweyne to Mahas, in Hiran, Somalia. Over twenty civilians were killed, and the bombing occurred in the middle of the 2022 Hiraan offensive by the Somali military against al-Shabaab. [1]
The city of Beledweyne, in central Somalia's Hiraan region, has been at the forefront of the civil war between the Somali government and the jihadist group al-Shabaab. [2] In July 2022, the Somali government launched an offensive against al-Shabaab-controlled areas in Hiraan region, with the aid of the local Ma'awisley militia. [3] [1] In response, elements of al-Shabaab fled across the Somali border into Ethiopia, sparking a second conflict. Al-Shabaab's counter to the offensive, per their modus operandi, was using IEDs and other bomb attacks against the Somali army and civilians. [4]
Around midnight on September 3, seven vehicles transporting aid and civilians from Beledweyne to Mahas were traveling along the road when the initial seven vehicles were ambushed by al-Shabaab fighters, shooting into the bus. [1] [5] Two vehicles behind the convoy went to rescue survivors, but were hit by an IED while attempting to reach them. [5] Locals and survivors recounted that many of the dead civilians were shot, and the civilian and food aid buses were burned by the al-Shabaab fighters afterward. [1] [6] The initial ambush killed eighteen civilians, with the subsequent bombing killing three aid workers. [5] [1]
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming to have ambushed a Ma'awisley supply convoy. [5]
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that the government "strongly condemns the despicable acts of murder against innocent civilians." [6] Ali Gudlawe, president of Hirshabelle State, expressed his condolences as well. [6]
Twenty-one people were killed in the attack. [7] In response to the attack, a localized offensive in the Hiran region by the Somali government recaptured over twenty villages. [8] The operation killed 100 al-Shabaab fighters, and captured 20 alive, according to the Somali government. [8]
Hiran is an administrative region (gobol) in central Somalia and part of the Hirshabelle State.
The Somali Civil War (2009–present) is the ongoing phase of the Somali Civil War which is concentrated in southern and central Somalia. It began in late January 2009 with the present conflict mainly between the forces of the Federal Government of Somalia assisted by African Union peacekeeping troops and al-Shabaab militants who pledged alliegence to al-Qaeda during 2012.
A series of battles in Hiraan, Shabeellaha Dhexe and Galgudug, between rebels of al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam and Somali government forces and ICU militants loyal to the government, erupted during spring 2009. The fighting led to al-Shabaab capturing major government strongholds and Ethiopian forces re-entering Somalia and setting up bases in Hiraan. There was a halt in fighting during a government offensive in Mogadishu, which started on May 22.
This is a 2011 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
This is a 2012 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
This is a 2014 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
Operation Indian Ocean was a joint military operation between the Somali military, AMISOM and the United States military against the Al-Shabaab militant group aimed at eliminating the remaining insurgent-held areas in southern Somalia. It officially began in August 2014.
This is a 2015 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
This article contains a timeline of events for the Somalimilitant group al-Shabaab.
This is a 2013 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
This is a 2010 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
This is a 2016 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
Since the early 2000s, the United States has provided military support to the Transitional Federal Government and the Federal Government of Somalia in conflicts. U.S. military actions in Somalia date back to the 1990s; however, following the September 11th attacks, military action was justified as counterterrorism. The Obama and Trump administrations conducted drone and fighter aircraft strikes, advisory missions, and training; provided intelligence; and attacked al-Shabaab militants. Two U.S. special operations personnel, two contractors, one US Army soldier, and a CIA paramilitary officer have died during operations in Somalia.
This is a 2018 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
Events in the year 2023 in Somalia.
This is a 2023 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).
On January 6, 2023, al-Shabaab militants attacked the town of Hilowle Gaab, which had recently been recaptured by Somali forces. Over 20 people were killed in the attack, including several Somali commanders.
On January 14, 2023, al-Shabaab attacked two African Union bases in the cities of Buloburde and Jalalaqsi, both in Hirshabelle State, Somalia. Thirty-five people were killed, and dozens more were injured.
Events in the year 2024 in Somalia.
This is a 2024 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).