As reported by the state news agency SONNA, the explosion took place at the entrance to the camp, an element that answers the question of why civilians were among the victims.
A suicide bomber detonated his belted explosives at the entrance to an army training center in Somalia on Saturday, killing more than fifteen people, recruits and civilians, according to sources close to the armed forces; the jihadist group Shebab claimed responsibility. a week after the twin attack that killed at least 121 people in Mogadishu.
The suicide bomber blew himself up at the Xero Nacnac camp, military officer Adan Yare told AFP.
“There are victims, both civilians and recruits,” he said, adding that an investigation was underway.
As reported by the state news agency SONNA, the explosion took place at the entrance to the camp, an element that answers the question of why civilians were among the victims. Eyewitnesses reported that several ambulances rushed to the scene.
According to a report on the Garowe news website, at least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured.
“The army blocked off the zone and it is impossible to approach the camp, but (…) I saw several ambulances arriving and leaving with casualties, I am not able to say how many,” said Fara Muse, a resident of the capital.
The Somali government has not commented publicly on the attack, which was claimed by Shebab.
Last Saturday, a twin car bomb attack on a busy thoroughfare in Mogadishu killed 121 people and injured more than 300 others. It was one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in the impoverished African country.
The Shebaab (“Youth”), an organization that has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, has been waging a guerrilla war against the federal government, which is supported by the international community, since 2007. Its fighters were driven out in 2011 from the country’s main cities, including Mogadishu, but remain entrenched in vast swathes of the countryside and have escalated their attacks in recent months.
One of the worst was the one at the Hyatt Hotel in the Somali capital at the end of August, which lasted some thirty hours. After that attack, which left at least 21 dead and 117 others wounded, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud vowed to launch “total war” to eliminate Shebab, urging civilians to avoid areas controlled by the jihadists as military operations would follow.
Shebab jihadists also claimed responsibility for the attack on a hotel in Kismayo (south) on October 23, which left 9 dead and 47 wounded.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
