2.3.2. Benadir and Mogadishu - Checkpoints and road security

As of October 2023, Benadir region had the country’s highest density of checkpoints. A report published by the RVI and other organisations identified 22 checkpoints located along key access roads, while citing other sources that pointed to the existence of dozens or even hundreds of more checkpoints in the region.931 IPIS mapped multiple checkpoints located around Aden Adde International Airport, in the city centre, and along roads connecting the city with Afgooye, Merka (Lower Shabelle), Balcad, and Warsheikh (Middle Shabelle).932 For an overview on checkpoints at country level see section 1.7 and Map 4.

Al-Shabaab, aiming to gain control over the main routes connecting Lower Shabelle, Bay, and Benadir regions,933 carried out multiple attacks on key supply routes heading into Mogadishu, especially the Mogadishu–Afgooye road and the Mogadishu–Balcad road.934

The group’s attacks targeted security checkpoints in Daynile (September 2023),935 Garasbaley (August 2024)936 and Kaxda districts (September 2024),937 causing a number of casualties938 and briefly enabling the group to gain control of Kaxda’s Burta Ali Janaale checkpoint, a strategic entry gate into the city.939 Roadside bombings reportedly also resulted in several casualties in Daynile940 and Huriwa,941 as well as in the March 2025 attack targeting the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud near Villa Somalia.942 Moreover, Al-Shabaab reportedly set up checkpoints of its own in the Mogadishu suburbs.943 On the night of 21 October 2024, federal forces launched a security campaign in the Hamar-Weyne district. They executed house-to-house searches and installed checkpoints to control traffic of vehicles and pedestrians, mainly targeting young males, some of whom were arrested.944