Balad, Somalia

Bal'ad District (Degmada Balcad) is one of the districts of Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. It is located about 36 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Mogadishu.

Conflict
During the spring of 1905, in the last years of Menelik II's expansions, a force of several thousand Ethiopian horseman armed with rifles pushed into the Shabelle valley near Balad. Only a days march from Mogadishu, several clans residing in the region rose up to engage in battles with the invading forces and defeated them.

In December 2021, Balad town was attacked by Al Shabaab fighters. About eight people were killed in the fighting. On 9 June, 2022, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a landmine explosion targeted at the Danab Brigade early in the morning on the outskirts of the town, which they claim killed at least 15 soldiers and destroyed one vehicle.