Blood-stained military uniforms lay scattered across the entrance of Mogadishu’s central military recruitment center Sunday morning, marking the site where a suicide bomber detonated explosives that killed at least 13 people and wounded 25 others. The attack, which targeted young Somalis gathering to enlist in the national army, represents the deadliest terrorist incident in Somalia’s capital this year.
“I heard a deafening explosion and saw bodies flying everywhere,” said Ibrahim Hassan, 22, who had been standing approximately 20 meters from the blast. “People who moments ago were talking about serving their country were suddenly lying motionless on the ground.”
The bombing occurred at 8:45 AM local time when the facility was crowded with potential recruits, many of whom had traveled from rural regions hoping to secure positions in Somalia’s expanding military forces. General Abdi Mohammed, spokesperson for Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, confirmed that the attacker detonated an explosive vest after mingling with the crowd outside the recruitment center’s security checkpoint.
“This cowardly attack specifically targeted our efforts to strengthen national security,” Mohammed stated during an emergency press briefing. “The recruitment drive will continue despite this tragedy. We will not allow terrorists to derail Somalia’s path toward stability.”
Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group that has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for nearly two decades, claimed responsibility for the attack through their affiliated media channels. The group described the bombing as retaliation for recent government military operations in central Somalia that have reclaimed several strategic towns from militant control.
Security analysts note this attack follows a troubling pattern of increased al-Shabaab activities in 2025, as the group attempts to reassert influence following significant territorial losses in recent years. According to data from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, this marks the fourth major attack in Mogadishu this year, indicating an alarming escalation of urban terrorism despite enhanced security measures.
“Al-Shabaab is increasingly targeting military and government institutions rather than civilian locations,” explained Dr. Amina Osman, security analyst at the Mogadishu Policy Institute. “This strategic shift demonstrates their focus on undermining state-building efforts and deterring Somalis from joining security forces.”
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the attack and declared three days of national mourning. In a televised address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorist threats, stating: “These attacks will only strengthen our resolve. For every young Somali killed today, ten more will step forward to defend our nation.”
The bombing comes at a critical juncture for Somalia’s security transition. The country is preparing for the planned withdrawal of African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) forces by December 2025, placing increased responsibility on Somalia’s national army to maintain security against insurgent threats.
International partners, including the United States and European Union, issued statements of condemnation and pledged continued support for Somalia’s security forces. U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Elizabeth Johnson described the attack as “an attempt to undermine the significant progress Somalia has made toward lasting peace.”
Emergency services continue to treat the wounded at Mogadishu’s Madina Hospital, where medical staff report critical shortages of blood supplies and surgical equipment. Hospital director Dr. Omar Abdirahman told CO24 News that “several victims remain in critical condition, and the death toll may rise in the coming days.”
As Somalia navigates this latest tragedy, a fundamental question remains: Can the nation’s security forces withstand the intensifying campaign of terrorist violence while simultaneously preparing to assume full responsibility for the country’s fragile security?
