MOGADISHU, Somalia — In the ongoing battle against al-Shabab militants, Somalia’s capital has established a multi-layered security apparatus that blends traditional checkpoints with advanced surveillance technology. At the forefront of this defense strategy is Colonel Abdikani Ali Mohamed, whose National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) operatives maintain constant vigilance against evolving terrorist tactics.
The security architecture represents a fundamental shift in Somalia’s counterterrorism approach following President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s 2022 declaration of ‘total war’ against the al-Qaeda-linked militants. Rather than relying solely on military confrontation, the government has prioritized intelligence gathering and financial disruption to combat the group responsible for years of violence that has killed and maimed thousands.
Security analysts describe Mogadishu’s protection system as a ‘ring of steel’ incorporating high-tech surveillance, improved intelligence sharing, and concrete barriers around potential targets. This integrated approach has reportedly disrupted multiple terrorist cells and made significant attacks increasingly rare in the capital, though the threat remains persistent.
Beyond the urban centers, the conflict has transformed into a grinding war of attrition in southern and central Somalia. In regions like Lower Shabelle—the nation’s agricultural heartland now serving as a battleground—control of towns frequently changes hands between government forces and militants. Recent months have seen intensified fighting in areas such as Bariire, where civilians face displacement and destruction of infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, military officials point to successive victories against al-Shabab and express confidence in eventually gaining the upper hand. The improved security situation in Mogadishu has allowed civilian life to gradually normalize, with new businesses emerging and residents expressing cautious optimism about the future.