It is located about 36 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Mogadishu.

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 day's march from Mogadishu, 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 by Al Shabaab fighters.

[2] On 9 June, 2022, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a landmine explosion targeting 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.