MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 27, 2026. An explosion believed to have involved an improvised explosive device was reported near Buundo Nationlink in Marka, Lower Shabelle, on Sunday. Separately, preliminary reports said government forces were attacked on the road between Xarardheere and Ceelhuur in Mudug. Details of both incidents remained limited, and casualties had not been confirmed.
Initial reports from Marka said no casualties had been reported. The information could not be independently confirmed. It was unclear what caused the blast, whether anyone or anything was targeted, or whether property was damaged.
In Mudug, preliminary reports said government forces travelling between Xarardheere and Ceelhuur came under attack on Sunday morning. The reports blamed Al-Shabaab, but that claim had not been independently verified. No casualty figures were immediately available.
Details of the incidents
The explosion in Marka was reported near the Buundo Nationlink area. Initial accounts described it as a suspected improvised explosive device blast
There was no immediate information about damage to buildings or businesses, or whether the blast occurred in a busy public area. No reports were available about injured people being taken to medical facilities or residents being evacuated.
The reported attack in Mudug occurred on the road between Xarardheere and Ceelhuur, according to preliminary accounts. It was not clear how long the reported fighting lasted, how many forces were involved or where the troops went afterward.
There was also no information about whether civilians were nearby, whether vehicles or property were damaged, or whether traffic along the road was disrupted. The allegation that Al-Shabaab was responsible for the attack remained unconfirmed.
Casualties and official response
The initial reports from Marka said no casualties had been reported, but that information had not been confirmed. No official death or injury toll was available for the reported incident in Mudug.
Local authorities and federal security officials had not issued an immediate public statement on either incident. It was unclear whether security agencies had opened investigations or issued guidance for people travelling between Xarardheere and Ceelhuur. No group had claimed responsibility for the Marka explosion in the information available.
Previous incidents and security context
Marka, the capital of Lower Shabelle, has experienced deadly attacks in the past. In July 2022, an explosion in the town killed district commissioner Abdullahi Ali Wafow. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for that attack. There was no information linking Sunday’s reported blast to the 2022 incident.
Xarardheere and Ceelhuur are in southern Mudug, which is administered by Galmudug. Puntland administers the northern part of the region. Xarardheere was previously a stronghold for Al-Shabaab, but government and local forces retook the town in 2023.
Mudug has seen clashes involving Al-Shabaab, government forces and local militia groups. Those past incidents form part of the wider security context in the region but do not confirm the latest reported attack between Xarardheere and Ceelhuur.