At least eight people were killed on Saturday when gunfire erupted between security forces and inmates at a prison in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The confrontation broke out at the city’s main prison when armed inmates attempted to escape, leading to an exchange of fire that left five prisoners and three soldiers dead, according to Colonel Abdiqani Khalaf, spokesperson for the Somali army’s custodial corps.

“Violent elements tried to stir terror in the central prison,” Khalaf stated. Eighteen other prisoners and three soldiers were wounded in the incident. No prisoners managed to escape.

Security sources indicated that the inmates who attempted to escape were from al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-linked group. The inmates had obtained weapons and launched what appeared to be a well-orchestrated escape plan.

Somalia National Television reported that security forces had “concluded an operation” in which “terrorists who were sentenced to death attacked prison guards.” The five slain prisoners were described as “terrorist inmates.”

Locals reported hearing grenade blasts and gunfire. “There was an explosion inside the prison and a heavy exchange of gunfire followed,” Said Abdirahman Ali,

Another witness, Shuceyb Ahmed, recounted, “I called my brother who is a member of the prison guards, and he told me that several al-Shabab inmates secretly obtained weapons and grenades and tried to escape.”

Al-Shabab has been fighting to overthrow the fragile central government in Mogadishu for more than 17 years, carrying out numerous bombings and other attacks in the capital and other parts of the country.

The government has joined forces with local armed groups to combat the al-Qaeda affiliate, supported by an African Union force and US air raids. However, the offensive has faced setbacks, with al-Shabab claiming control of multiple locations in central Somalia earlier this year.

This incident highlights the ongoing instability and security challenges in Somalia, as the government continues its efforts to maintain control and suppress militant activities within the country.