At Least 13 Killed in Mogadishu Suicide Bombing mes US News +5 and AP News both reported at least 13 people had been killed as of Friday’s blasts at Mogadishu’s Military Recruitment Center

On May 18th 2025, a suicide bomber struck at a military recruitment center in Mogadishu, Somalia and caused at least 13 fatalities and 21 injuries. Dressed in military fatigues and disguised as an recruit himself, the attacker detonated explosives among young men waiting to register with Damanyo military base located in Hodan district of Mogadishu’s Hodan district – The Washington Post +5 AP News +5 WLST+6 Indian Express+5
Reuters +6 Al Jazeera +6
Eyewitnesses of the explosion described an unnerving scene following its impact. Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed, a tuk-tuk driver who witnessed it all said, “There was a loud explosion, and immediately people started running in all directions – bodies were everywhere.” (Reuters +3) [AP News | 3 | 18 )
Hussein, part of the camp’s guard unit, reported that young recruits were waiting in line when an explosion took place and saw many casualties; Hussein stated “The explosion was devastating; I saw many casualties. The attacker disguised himself as a recruit before blowing himself up.” The Washington Post and AP News both published reports detailing this tragedy on February 20, 2012.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that up to 30 soldiers had been killed and 50 injured as a result. Al-Shabaab has previously targeted military and government facilities in Mogadishu as part of their insurgency against Somali government. Reuters = +4, AP News =+4 and Stars and Stripes =+4.
This incident mirrors an attack in July 2023 when a suicide bombing at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mog… Reuters +5 AP News +5 WND WTOP [Wall Street Journal… +5
+5 Following an explosion, Somali military quickly secured the area. Medical staff at the military hospital reported treating 30 injured individuals who had been affected by the blast; six victims died shortly after arrival at hospital, as reported by Reuters+1 and The Indian Express respectively.
Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed strongly denounced the attack as a “heinous act,” while criticizing current administration for failing to properly secure and protect the camp. According to Wikipedia (+1),
United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Egypt strongly condemned this suicide attack as it illustrated ongoing security challenges in Somalia posed by al-Shabaab and their persistant threats. * – this event underscores ongoing security challenges faced by Somalia with Al-Shabaab remaining an ongoing threat despite international intervention efforts against it
+3 When adding up all three points.