MOGADISHU, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several people were killed and others wounded when a suicide bomber thought to be from the Al-Shabaab militant group targeted an army recruitment centre in Mogadishu on Sunday, Somali authorities and witnesses said.
The attacker, disguised as a civilian, detonated explosives outside the Xero Damaayo camp in southern Mogadishu at 9:20 am, the information ministry said.
“Casualties have been reported but details are still being verified,” the ministry said.
“Security forces are on the scene and have launched an investigation.”
Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the bombing.
“The Mujahidin carried out an explosion targeting apostates who stayed in front of Xero Damaayo in Mogadishu’s Hodon district. They were enlisting to join the forces,” the group said.
Egypt, which has close relations with Somalia, condemned the attack.
“The Arab Republic of Egypt condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that occurred today at the Damaayo military camp in the capital, Mogadishu, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries,” a statement from the foreign ministry said.
Egypt would continue to support Somalia’s national institutions and their security and military capabilities to enable them to “confront all manifestations of violence, terrorism”, it said.
Somalia has suffered a resurgence of attacks by Al-Shabaab in recent months.
The group, which is fighting to overthrow the government, has intensified its campaign in the impoverished and climate-vulnerable country.
In March, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a bomb that narrowly missed the presidential convoy in Mogadishu, and in April, militants fired mortar shells near the capital’s airport. — NNN-AGENCIES
