On 28 December 2019, unidentified militants detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) at the Ex-control Junction Agfooye intersection in Mogadishu. The bomb — which exploded during rush hour — targeted a local tax collection center located near the junction. Latest reports indicated that the bombing killed at least 81 people, including 17 university students and two Turkish nationals. In addition, more than 149 people have been confirmed injured; the official death toll is likely to rise due to the high number of severely injured individuals. Turkish authorities have airlifted the most critically wounded individuals to Turkey for treatment. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack; however, al-Shabab, an al-Qaida linked militant group, has conducted similar attacks in Mogadishu in the past.
On 29 December 2019, the Somalian government and U.S. Africa Command conducted airstrikes against suspected al-Shabab militants in Qunyo Barrow, located approximately 285 km (180 mi) southwest of Mogadishu along the coast, and in Caliyoow Barrow, located approximately 180 km (110 mi) northwest of Mogadishu. Two suspected al-Shabab fighters were killed during the strikes.
