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Authorities in Somalia are investigating a blast that took place on Wednesday at a major military training facility in the capital city, Mogadishu. The explosion happened at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy, a key center where new army recruits are trained.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the incident is being looked into, while the al-Shabab militant group, which is linked to al-Qaida, has claimed responsibility. The group said it carried out the attack as a suicide bombing.
According to witnesses, the attacker was wearing a suicide vest and attempted to reach a group of foreign trainers working with Somali recruits. However, he was reportedly stopped before he could get close to his target. He then detonated the explosives, resulting in what was described as “minimal casualties.”
One of the recruits who witnessed the explosion, Adan Hassan, told The Associated Press that the attacker was intercepted before he could cause major damage. “The suicide bomber was wearing a vest and was stopped before reaching his target. He blew himself up, causing minimal casualties,” said Hassan.
It’s still unclear if anyone else was killed or injured in the explosion. The Somali government has not released an official casualty count yet.
Al-Shabab claimed the attack targeted a “Western delegation” involved in training Somali forces. It’s uncertain which country the group was referring to, but several nations—including the United States, the European Union, and Turkey—have supported Somalia by sending military trainers and advisors in recent years.
The Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy has been targeted in the past. In July 2023, a suicide bomber disguised in a military uniform entered the same training facility and killed at least 25 soldiers, injuring more than 70 others. That attack was also claimed by al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab continues to pose a serious threat to Somalia’s stability. The group has carried out numerous attacks over the years, mainly targeting military bases, government buildings, and public areas. Their goal is to overthrow the Somali government and impose a strict form of Islamic law across the country.
Despite the ongoing threat, Somali authorities have recently increased their efforts to fight back against the militants. Over the past few months, government forces have been conducting large-scale security operations in different regions of the country, especially in central Somalia.
Just last week, Somali troops carried out a major military operation in the Hiran region. According to government sources, this operation led to the recapture of several towns and villages that had been under al-Shabab control. Officials say these efforts are part of a broader plan to weaken the militant group and restore peace and order in the country.
Security experts say that while Somalia has made some progress in battling al-Shabab, the group still remains strong and capable of launching deadly attacks, especially in urban areas like Mogadishu.
As investigations continue into Wednesday’s explosion, the government has promised to step up security around key military and government facilities. Officials also urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
The Somali Defense Ministry has not yet given details about whether any foreign personnel were present at the training academy during the attack.