Al-Shabaab suicide bomber targets military training center in Somalia

FILE PHOTO

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab bomber on Saturday evening targeted a military training center in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, in an attack that comes just a week after the terrorists targeted the city, in a raid that left several people dead.

According to the state media, the militants reportedly targeted the vicinity of General Dhagabadan military training facility in Southern Mogadishu. Exactly a week ago, the militants attacked downtown Mogadishu killing 121 people while injuring over 350.

The facility is located at the former candy factory and has been targeted by Al-Shabaab multiple times in the past. The militants often target security forces, senior government officials, and innocent civilians. In the past, over 5,000 civilians have been killed by the militants.

"Innocent civilian casualties reported as a suicide bomber blew himself up at the outside of the Candy Army Base in Mogadishu, a cowardly attack by Al-Shabaab Khawarij after experiencing military setbacks at battlefields," security agencies told the State media.

At least 15 people are said to have died in the base attack, including army recruits and scores wounded. There were several other explosions heard in the city on Saturday evening.

For the past couple of weeks, the Al-Shabaab militants have suffered casualties in various battlefields, especially in Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and Bay regions. According to official records by the federal government of Somalia, over 400 militants have been killed within the same period.

On Saturday, the US Africa Command confirmed the killing of over 15 Al-Shabaab militants in Cadale, just moments after the federal government of Somalia pleaded with Washington to heighten airstrikes against the militants while killing even those plotting to instigate attacks.

And in a statement, Al-Shabaab admitted losing 8 men and claimed to kill 36 “militias” in Thursday’s fighting in Tardo area, Hiran. According to the militants, the alleged US strikes joined the fight later in the day, leading to the casualties on their side which they termed as unprecedented.

Further, Al-Shabaab reported that a suicide car comb hit government forces in Towfiq, Middle Shabelle, claiming to have killed 23 people. The claims are yet to be verified independently but the Al-Qaida-linked group is mostly associated with propaganda.

GAROWE ONLINE