Somalia, 17 October 2025 — Suspected Al-Shabaab fighters ambushed a police vehicle on a major supply route in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region on Thursday.
According to Jowhar Police Commander Abdifatah Arwaax Aadan, the attack occurred around 2 p.m. on the Mahaday-Jowhar Road when a pickup truck belonging to Jowhar Police Station came under fire while on routine patrol.
“On October 16, 2025, armed bandits ambushed a police vehicle along the Mahaday–Jowhar road around 8 a.m. The vehicle, belonging to Jowhar Police Station, was on security duties,” Commander Arwaax said.
Security forces swiftly responded to the ambush and are pursuing the attackers, who are believed to have ties to extremist networks operating in the region.
“The security forces are still tracking down those responsible for the attack. Once captured, they will be brought before the competent courts,” he added.
The ambush marks a new security challenge along the Mahaday–Jowhar corridor, a key route in Hirshabelle, one of Somalia’s south-central Federal Member States, where Al-Shabaab remains active in several rural areas.