Somalia: deadly suicide attack on military camp in Mogadishu
Somali security officers arrive at Madina Hospital where the wounded from the suicide bombing attack on a military base in Mogadishu on Tuesday June 15, 2021 are being treated. REUTERS - FEISAL OMAR
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According to a provisional assessment by the head of the Somali army, a suicide attack left at least ten dead and twenty wounded in the Somali capital on Tuesday (June 15th).
A man blew himself up in the middle of young army recruits, in front of a large military camp in the city.
The attack has not yet been claimed but the Islamist Shebabs are suspected.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi,
Sébastien Németh
The terrorist allegedly impersonated a new recruit in the Somali army. He would have mingled with dozens of young people waiting in line in front of the General Abdikarim Yusuf Dhagabadan camp. Then he would have triggered his explosive belt. It is the most serious attack in Mogadishu in 18 months and
the attack on a checkpoint
that killed 81 people.
Tuesday morning's operation touches a symbol since it is one of the largest military camps in the country, where several thousand recruits and trainers are permanently located.
The site is also named after an army hero.
In August 2011, General Dhagabadan led the operations to reconquer Mogadishu and finally forced the Shebabs to leave the city.
The officer was killed by the Islamists in an attack in November 2015.
Army offensive in the South-East
The attack also comes as the Somali army is waging a massive reconquest offensive in the southeast of the country, which is said to have officially resulted in the deaths of 200 Islamists.
Some are also making the connection after the announcement a few days ago of a shipment of American troops to Kenya.
President Joe Biden wants additional soldiers to strengthen the fight against the Shebabs in the region.
An announcement made when earlier this year, the Trump administration had withdrawn all US troops from Somalia.
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Somalia
Terrorism