Sunday January 26, 2025
FILE - Abdifatah Nur Mataan, the Deputy Chief of Security and Politics for the Beled-Hawo district, succumbed to injuries sustained in a landmine explosion on Saturday.
Bosaso (HOL) — Abdifatah Nur Mataan, the Deputy Chief of Security and Politics for Beled-Hawo district, succumbed to injuries sustained in a landmine explosion on Saturday, officials confirmed.
The attack targeted Mataan’s convoy as it returned from Beled-Hawo airport, where he and other officials had conducted inspections as part of their official duties. Witnesses reported that the landmine, buried along the road, detonated with devastating force, causing multiple casualties among officials and security personnel.
Mataan was critically injured and initially survived the explosion. However, logistical challenges delayed his evacuation to Mogadishu. A private aircraft eventually transported him to the capital, but he passed away shortly after being admitted to a hospital.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida-linked insurgent group, is known to carry out similar targeted attacks against Somali officials and security forces.
The attack incident underscores the persistent insecurity in Jubaland, where government officials remain frequent targets of militant groups. Beled-Hawo, located near Somalia’s border with Kenya, has been a hotspot for violence as Al-Shabaab seeks to destabilize governance and hinder security efforts in the region.
Jubaland authorities condemned the attack, vowing to intensify counterterrorism operations to secure the area. The Somali government has also reiterated its commitment to eradicating militant groups that continue to threaten peace and stability.