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Balcad | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Balcad Location in Somalia | |
| Coordinates:2°21′30″N45°23′11″E / 2.358431°N 45.386361°E /2.358431; 45.386361 | |
| Country | Somalia |
| State | Hirshabelle |
| Region | Middle Shabelle |
| District | Balcad |
| Control |  al-Shabaab |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Bal'ad District (Somali:Degmada Balcad) is one of the districts ofMiddle Shabelle region ofSomalia. It is located about 36 kilometers northeast of the capital city ofMogadishu.
During the spring of 1905, in the last years ofMenelik II's expansions, a force of several thousand Ethiopian horseman armed with rifles pushed into theShabelle valley near Balad. Only a day's march fromMogadishu, several clans residing in the region rose up to engage in battles with the invading forces and defeated them.[1]
In December 2021, Balad town was attacked byAl Shabaab fighters. At least eight people were killed in the fighting.[2] On 9 June, 2022, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a landmine explosion targeting theDanab Brigade early in the morning on the outskirts of the town, which they claim killed at least 15 soldiers and destroyed one vehicle.[3]
On February 27, 2025, al-Shabaab militants briefly captured Balad after storming a military base located near the town, but after some clashes the settlement was recaptured by the Somali National Army.[4] Though the town ended up in the control of Al-Shabaab by February 28, 2025.[5]
On March 5, 2025, Al-Shabaab used the town as a central hub to continue its insurgency towards Mogadishu.[6]
