At least 10 reported killed in suicide bomb blast in Somalia’s Mogadishu

A suicide bomber attacked a group of young recruits who were registering at a military base in the capital city. The incident took place at an army recruitment center in Mogadishu, Somalia, resulting in the deaths of multiple individuals. Witnesses reported that the attacker targeted a line of teenagers waiting outside the Damanyo base, causing the deaths of at least 10 people. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, with a sudden explosion leading to dense smoke covering the area. A military captain named Suleiman recounted how the suicide bomber detonated explosives after running into the queue, resulting in casualties among recruits and passersby. Medical personnel at the military hospital mentioned that they had received 30 injured individuals from the blast, with six fatalities reported immediately. The government has sealed off the area as investigations continue. Though no group has claimed responsibility, the attack bore similarities to a previous incident in 2023 when a suicide bomber killed 25 soldiers at a nearby base. This attack comes shortly after the assassination of Colonel Abdirahmaan Hujaale in the Hiiran region, amid concerns about the infiltration of the al-Shabab armed group into government and security forces. Al-Shabab has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Somali government, frequently targeting officials and military personnel.