Somalia: Somali Govt Confirms Suicide Attack At Mogadishu Recruitment Camp

Mogadishu, May 18 — A suicide bomber attacked a military recruitment center in Somalia's capital. The government reported the incident on Saturday. Unconfirmed reports suggest significant casualties among army hopefuls.

The blast happened around 9:20 am outside the Damaanyo military camp. Large crowds of young men had gathered to enlist in the Somali National Army. The Ministry of Information confirmed the attack but did not provide casualty numbers.

Some reports indicate that over 11 people may have died. Other sources claim the death toll could be as high as 20. Dozens more were reportedly injured, but this information is unverified.

The government stated that security forces intercepted the attacker before he reached his target. "The assailant failed to inflict mass civilian casualties," said the ministry. Security agencies are still assessing the explosion's impact.

Authorities urged the public to wait for official updates from government institutions. No group has claimed responsibility for this bombing yet. This attack highlights ongoing security challenges in Somalia, where al-Shabaab militants frequently target government and military sites.