Al-Shabaab fires mortar shells at Jowhar airport

The militant group Al-Shabaab reportedly fired mortar rounds at Jowahr Airport Thursday afternoon but there was no official confirmation of the casualties and scale of damage.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was targeting Burundian and ‘white’ soldiers based at the facility but added there were no casualties reported.

The incident targeting airports by Al-Shabaab is the second in recent months.

On November 19, Al-Shabaab claimed an explosion attack on Bulo Burde Airport which killed one person and injured at least five others.

Sections of the newly refurbished airport were destroyed during the attack.

The attack on the airport today comes ahead of Lower House elections which are expected to start soon in Jowhar.

Al-Shabaab has conducted coordinated attacks in recent weeks targeting both civilian and security installations amidst ongoing elections in the country.

There was no immediate comment from authorities in Jowhar.