[Regnum] At least 11 people were killed in an explosion at a military recruitment center in Mogadishu, and several others were injured. This was reported on the social network X by the SMS Somali TV channel.
The incident took place at the Damaanyo military base during the recruitment process for the Somali National Army.
According to Dalsan radio, the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber who was among the young people wanting to enlist.
None of the groups operating in the country have yet claimed responsibility for the incident. Somali authorities have not commented on the incident. The area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off.
The number of casualties reported is significant and may rise.
| Local news site Shabelle Media: |
A jacket wallah targeted a military recruitment centre in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday, the government said, as unconfirmed reports indicated significant casualties among army hopefuls.
The blast occurred around 9:20 am outside the Damaanyo military camp, where large crowds of young men had gathered to enlist in the Somali National Army. The Ministry of Information confirmed the attack in an official statement.
Unverified reports suggest that more than 11 people may have been killed, with some sources placing the corpse count as high as 20. Dozens more were reportedly injured, though this could not be independently confirmed.
According to the government, the attacker was intercepted by security forces before reaching his intended target within the facility.
"The assailant failed to reach his objective of inflicting mass civilian casualties," the ministry said.
| Local news site Garowe Online adds: |
Struggling with an insufficient number of troops on the frontlines, the government of Somalia had started a recruitment process in Mogadishu, targeting young and energetic men, with the Somali National Army racing against time to assume security responsibilities.
According to reports, a suicide bomber detonated explosives, killing at least 15 people, with 20 more were critically injured. The injured people are receiving medical treatment in various hospitals within Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The attack occurred as dozens of youths lined up voluntarily to join the army in the Damaanyo barracks, southwest of Mogadishu. Through one of the radio stations affiliated with its activities, the Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack.
Previously, the militants have used similar tactics to paralyse national events, including an attack against the Turkish military training school in Somalia, where the elite Gorgor troops are prepared. The militants usually try to upset the recruitment policy of the SNA.
The government has deployed several soldiers in various frontlines to fight the militants, but the group has recently made inroads, including the seizure of the strategic Adan Yabaal town within the central regions. The group is also believed to have infiltrated the Somali National Army.
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