Deadly Suicide Bombing at Mogadishu Military Base
MOGADISHU — A suicide bombing struck a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in Mogadishu, killing at least 10 people, local sources report. The attack unfolded as teenagers waited in line near the base’s gate, where the attacker detonated explosives.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and tragic. One military captain, who identified himself as Suleiman, recounted, “I was on the other side of the road. A speeding tuk-tuk stopped, a man got out, ran into the queue, and then blew himself up. I saw 10 people dead, including recruits and passers-by. The death toll may rise.”
Eyewitness Accounts and Casualties
The blast left dozens of abandoned shoes scattered near the site alongside remains of the bomber. Another eyewitness, Abdisalan Mohamed, said he saw “hundreds of teenagers at the gate as we passed by in a bus.” He added, “Abruptly, a deafening blast occurred, and the area was covered by dense smoke. We could not see the details of casualties.”
Medical personnel at a nearby military hospital confirmed they received 30 injured victims from the explosion, six of whom died shortly after arrival. Government forces quickly secured the area to prevent further harm.
Context and Related Incidents
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and officials have yet to comment publicly. This incident echoes a similar attack in 2023 when a suicide bomber killed 25 soldiers at the Jale Siyad base, located directly across from Damanyo.
The attack also followed the assassination of Colonel Abdirahmaan Hujaale, commander of battalion 26, in the Hiiran region just a day earlier. Local reports suggest increased infiltration by al-Shabaab militants into government and security ranks, raising concerns about ongoing threats to stability.
Authorities continue to investigate the bombing amid heightened security measures in the capital. The community remains on alert as efforts to prevent further violence intensify.
For more news and updates on suicide bomber targets military recruits, visit Filipinokami.com.