MOGADISHU, Somalia – A suicide bombing at a military recruitment center in Mogadishu on Sunday morning has left at least 10 people dead, according to local media reports. The blast occurred at the Damaanyo military base, where young Somali men were queuing to join the Somali National Army (SNA).
Eyewitnesses said a man wearing an explosive vest detonated himself among the recruits, causing chaos and multiple casualties. The number of injured remains unclear, though unconfirmed reports suggest several were seriously wounded in the explosion.
The attack has not yet been claimed by any group. However, Somalia has witnessed frequent assaults by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab, which often targets military personnel and government institutions.
Police and security officials have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The Somali government is expected to launch an investigation as security forces secure the area and attend to the victims.
This tragic event comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen the national army and transition security responsibilities from African Union forces to Somali-led operations.