Mogadishu, Somalia– At least 20 people have been confirmed dead and several others wounded after a suicide bomber targeted a group of newly recruited Somali National Army (SNA) personnel outside the Damaanyo military camp in Mogadishu early Sunday morning.
The attack occurred around 9:20 AM along Industrial Road, where dozens of young recruits were standing in line to register for military service.
The suicide attacker, wearing an explosive vest, detonated the device near the gate of the base, causing a powerful explosion that was heard across multiple districts of the capital.
The Somali government has confirmed the attack and said that an investigation is underway.
Suicide bomber kills 20 people and injures several others in Damaanyo military base in #Mogadishu, #Somalia pic.twitter.com/BdfPygWVR5
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) May 18, 2025
The Ministry of Information stated that security forces responded immediately and are working to assess the full extent of the casualties and damage. Authorities have sealed off the area and are providing emergency aid to the injured.
Militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The group, which has waged a long-running insurgency against the Somali government, frequently targets military and civilian areas in Mogadishu and other parts of the country.
This is not the first time Damaanyo military base has been attacked. Similar suicide bombings in recent years have resulted in significant loss of life among both new recruits and active-duty soldiers at the site.
The Somali government has vowed to strengthen security at military facilities and continue its efforts to combat terrorism.
