MOGADISHU, 05 January 2026 – A Sunday journey turned into a scene of devastation in central Somalia after a passenger vehicle struck a roadside bomb, killing at least seven civilians and leaving four others seriously injured.
The blast occurred in the Kudkudaaleey area of the Middle Shabelle region. The vehicle, carrying nearly 20 passengers, was traveling toward the Galgaduud region towns of Masagawaay and Ceel Dheer when the hidden device detonated.
“The bomb completely destroyed the vehicle. All the passengers were civilians,” a local source told Horn Life, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Images from the scene show the vehicle ripped apart by the explosion, with debris and personal belongings scattered across the roadside.
Local authorities confirmed the explosive device had been planted along the road. It remains unclear whether the vehicle was specifically targeted or whether it struck a bomb intended for military or security convoys.
The incident underscores a worsening security situation along key routes linking Mogadishu with central Somalia. In recent weeks, travel has become increasingly dangerous as roadside bombs and armed checkpoints proliferate.
At the same time, Al-Shabaab insurgents have intensified extortion of travelers, according to local drivers. Small vehicles are reportedly forced to pay up to 120 U.S. dollars, while large transport trucks face levies of as much as 500 dollars. Pastoralists are also targeted, with demands of two dollars for each head of livestock.
Transport operators warn that the combination of deadly roadside bombs and heavy financial demands is pushing travel to a breaking point. Several said continued insecurity could disrupt the movement of people and essential goods, deepening hardship for communities in central regions that rely heavily on supplies from the capital.
