Suicide Bomber Kills Many at Somali Army Camp in Mogadishu

A devastating suicide bombing tore through a military recruitment centre in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday morning, killing and injuring several people in an attack that has once again shaken the fragile security landscape of the Horn of Africa nation.

The attacker, believed to be affiliated with the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group Al-Shabab, detonated explosives at the Xero Damaayo army camp, located in the Hodon district of the city.

The blast occurred around 9:20 a.m. local time, just as a crowd had gathered outside the base—many of them reportedly young men hoping to enlist in the national armed forces.

Authorities confirmed the attack hours later. Somalia’s Ministry of Information released a brief statement acknowledging the bombing and saying that “casualties have been reported but details are still being verified.”

Security personnel swiftly sealed off the scene, launching a formal investigation as emergency services rushed to attend to the wounded.

The bomber is said to have mingled with the civilian crowd before triggering the explosives, a tactic often used by Al-Shabab operatives to maximize casualties and target morale within security institutions. Witnesses recounted scenes of horror and panic in the moments following the blast.

“I was very lucky because when the explosion occurred, I had already driven past the area,” said Adan Yare, a local Tuktuk driver who narrowly escaped the blast. “The explosion shook my Tuktuk. When I stopped and looked back, several people were lying on the ground, some of them dead and others wounded.”

Another eyewitness, Saalim Nur, described witnessing five lifeless bodies strewn across the street. “We were a few hundred metres away in a minibus when it happened,” he said. “The whole area became rubble—stones and sand were flying everywhere. People were screaming.”

Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility

Shortly after the explosion, Al-Shabab issued a statement through its media channels, claiming responsibility. The group said it specifically targeted individuals “enlisting to join the forces,” underscoring its longstanding objective of destabilizing Somalia’s federal institutions and deterring citizens from supporting the government.

Al-Shabab has waged a deadly insurgency against the Somali government for over 15 years, seeking to impose a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Although pushed out of Mogadishu in 2011 by African Union peacekeepers, the group remains a potent threat, particularly in rural regions.

In recent months, it has intensified its attacks, including a failed assassination attempt on the Somali president’s convoy in March and a mortar attack near Mogadishu’s international airport in April.

Sunday’s bombing also comes amid ongoing efforts by the Somali government and international partners to rebuild the national army and retake territory from the insurgents.

A Nation Grappling with Crisis

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared an “all-out war” on Al-Shabab, with increased military offensives in central and southern regions. However, the group’s ability to carry out attacks in the heart of the capital suggests that the security forces still face major challenges.

In addition to the direct violence, the insurgency has had a wider impact on Somalia’s already delicate socio-economic conditions. Continuous conflict, poverty, drought, and now the global climate crisis have all contributed to mass displacement, famine risk, and weakened governance.

The United Nations, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and Western allies have continued to support Somalia’s security reform efforts, but progress has been slow and often marred by corruption, clan rivalries, and logistical shortfalls.

As Mogadishu mourns yet another tragedy, the people of Somalia are once again reminded of the difficult road ahead in their country’s fight against terrorism and its quest for lasting peace and stability.

Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.