MOGADISHU (SD) – The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory for Somalia following reports that Al-Shabaab has launched attacks in parts of the Middle Shabelle region.

“The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu is monitoring credible information regarding potential attacks in multiple locations across Somalia, including the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. All movements of U.S. Embassy personnel in Mogadishu have been suspended until further notice,” stated the U.S. Department of State.

The embassy has urged U.S. citizens to remain vigilant about the risks of terrorism, warning of the possibility of “kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in Somalia.”

The resurgence of Al-Shabaab in areas previously liberated two years ago poses a significant threat to the Somali capital. Last week, Al-Shabaab briefly seized control of the towns of Bal ‘ad and El Baraf in the Middle Shabelle region.

A senior official from Hirshabelle attributed this setback to “political leadership failures, which have led to a reversal of the gains made by the Ma’awisley forces, who had driven Al-Shabaab out of Hirshabelle’s territories two years ago.”