Al-Shabaab militants raided the National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) base in Bal’ad town near the Somali capital, Mogadishu, sources say, in the latest attack which comes at the time Somalia is fighting violent extremism.

According to multiple sources, the militants targeted three checkpoints and a security office in the town. After the raid, reports indicate, the militants started retreating from the town to strategic areas perhaps awaiting a response from the national army.

Photos taken from the scene of the Saturday morning attack show a badly destroyed NISA building where Al-Shabab had detonated their explosives leading to the damage. Al-Shabaab claims their fighters entered the station and “most” of the town’s neighbourhoods.

Local sources now say the militants are retreating, but the number of casualties remains unknown. The militants have been on rampant onslaught as most Muslims in the country observe the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The militants are also facing onslaught from the Somali National Army who are assisted by the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The collaboration has left thousands of militants dead.

In 2021, Al-Shabab militants attacked the town of Bal’ad, 30 km north of Mogadishu. At least six people were killed including two civilians. Army commanders said nine militants were also killed in the attack.

The militants briefly entered the town before security forces repulsed them, police said at that time. The Al-Shabaab have lost strategic towns in the country following the crackdown which will be spread to Jubaland and Southwest states in the coming months.