2025 Mogadishu military base bombing

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = 2025 Mogadishu military base bombing

| partof = the Somali Civil War

| image = 2025 Mogadishu military base bombing.png

| caption = A CCTV still of the explosion

| date = 18 May 2025

| location = Damaanyo military base, Hodan, Mogadishu, Somalia

| target = Recruits

| time = {{Circa}}9:20{{nbsp}}a.m.

| timezone = EAT

| type = Suicide bombing

| fatalities = 21 (including the perpetrator)

| injuries = 15

| perpetrator = {{flagicon image|ShabaabFlag.svg}} Al-Shabaab

| assailant =

| weapon = Bomb

| numparts = 1

| motive = Terrorism

}}{{Campaignbox Somali Civil War (2009–present)}}

On 18 May 2025, an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber killed at least 20 people, 15 recruits and five civilians nearby, outside the gates of Damaanyo military base where hundreds of young men had been lined up to enlist in the Somali National Army in Hodan neighbourhood of Mogadishu.{{Cite news |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Death toll climbs to 20 in Mogadishu suicide bombing claimed by al-Shabab |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/May/201555/death_toll_climbs_to_20_in_mogadishu_suicide_bombing_claimed_by_al_shabab.aspx |access-date=May 18, 2025 |publisher=Hiiraan Online}} Another 15 others were seriously injured in the bombing, including some critically, and the death toll is expected to rise due to the severity of the injuries.{{Cite web |title=At least 13 reported killed in suicide bomb blast in Somalia's Mogadishu |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/5/18/at-least-10-reported-killed-in-suicide-bomb-blast-in-somalias-mogadishu |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Suicide attacker in Somali capital kills 13 at a military recruitment center |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-suicide-attack-recruits-mogadishu-6dcb5e393874c03a5487ee4ae5e55eed?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Mogadishu suicide bomber kills at least 10 at army recruitment drive |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mogadishu-suicide-bomber-kills-least-10-army-recruitment-drive-2025-05-18/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Reuters}}

Background

{{Main|Timeline of al-Shabaab-related events|Attempted assassination of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud}}

Al-Shabaab, a fundamentalist militant group and ally of al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency for more than a decade and continues to control parts of southern and central Somalia. The group failed to assassinate Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a March 18, 2025 attack.

= Major offensives in southern Somalia =

On 20 February 2025, al-Shabaab started a new offensive in Hirshabelle State called "Operation Ramadan"{{Cite news |author=Dr. Xiddig |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Al-Shabaab Militants Overrun South Somalia, Eye Mogadishu in 'Ramadan' Offensive |url=https://www.idilnews.com/al-shabaab-militants-overrun-south-somalia-eye-mogadishu-in-ramadan-offensive/ |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=Idil News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307191353/https://www.idilnews.com/al-shabaab-militants-overrun-south-somalia-eye-mogadishu-in-ramadan-offensive/ |url-status=live }} against the Somali National Army, African Union Mission in Somalia forces, and allied Ma'awisley clan militias ({{Langx|so|Macawiisleey}}).{{Cite news |last1=Omar |first1=Feisal |last2=Sheikh |first2=Abdi |last3=Holland |first3=Hereward |date=February 20, 2025 |editor-last=MacSwan |editor-first=Angus |title=Somalia says its army, allied militias repel al Shabaab attacks, kill more than 130 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somalia-says-its-army-allied-militias-repel-al-shabaab-attacks-kill-more-than-2025-02-20/ |url-status= |work=Reuters}} The militant group's objective was to regain territory lost in the 2022 ground offensive led by the Federal Government and African Union, particularly strategic towns and supply routes, and to take control of Somalia's capital Mogadishu.{{Cite news |last=Faruk |first=Omar |date=March 11, 2025 |title=At least 6 killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-beledweyne-hotel-attack-c4f46b29ffd3aca20118aff21960625c?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=AP News |language=en}} Within the first day of the offensive, al-Shabaab took over more than 15 towns and villages in the regions of Middle Shabelle, Hiran, and Lower Shabelle.

= Beledweyne hotel attack and siege =

On 11 March 2025, six al-Shabaab attackers stormed the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, detonating a suicide car bomb and launching a 24-hour siege.{{Cite news |last=Faruk |first=Omar |date=March 12, 2025 |title=Somali forces end a 24-hour siege by al-Shabab militants on a hotel, leaving all fighters dead |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-attack-cairo-hotel-beledweyne-shabab-siege-54575e8873eae84990b61f75b4fa2811 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=Associated Press |language=en}} The hotel was hosting clan elders and military officials coordinating Shabelle offensives. More than 21 people were killed, including all six attackers and two traditional elders, while dozens were injured.

The suicide bombing occurred on May 17, 2025, following the assassination of Colonel Abdirahman Hujaale, commander of Battalion 26, in the Hiiran region. This occurred in the context of local reports of the al-Shabaab armed group's infiltration into government and security forces.

= Mogadishu military academy bombing =

Similar military base bombing occurred in 2023 at the Jaalle Siyaad military academy bombing, which is across from the Damanyo facility, where a suicide bomber murdered twenty-five soldiers.

Bombing

On Sunday morning around 9:20 a.m. of 18 May 2025, a suicide bomber attacked a military recruitment center in Mogadishu and caused many casualties.{{Cite web |title=Death toll climbs to 20 in Mogadishu suicide bombing claimed by al-Shabab |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/May/201555/death_toll_climbs_to_20_in_mogadishu_suicide_bombing_claimed_by_al_shabab.aspx?utm_source=hiiraan&utm_medium=SomaliNewsUpdateFront |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}} CCTV camera shows the bomber, intercepted near the entrance, detonating explosives before reaching the main crowd. The bomber was dressed in a military uniform detonated an explosive suicide vest, targeting hundreds of young men had lined up to enlist in the Somali National Army who were lining up after breakfast.

According to security officials, who spoke to Hiiraan Online without identifying themselves, they believed at least 10 soldiers were killed isntantly and more than 15 were injured.

The Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack and posted on Telegram that hundred soldiers were killed and others injured.{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Ku Dhawaad 100 Askari oo Dhimasho & Dhaawac ku Noqdaay Qaraxii Muqdisho.[BAYAAN] - Warbaahinta Al-Furqaan |trans-title=Nearly 100 Soldiers Killed & Wounded in Mogadishu Bombing |url=https://radiofurqaan.net/ku-dhawaad-100-askari-oo-dhimasho-dhaawac-ku-noqdaay-qaraxii-muqdisho-bayaan/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=radiofurqaan.net |language=en-US}} Most of the soldiers targeted were young troops who want to join governement war against al-shabaab in middle shabelle. Among those killed were 15 recruits and five civilians who were passing nearby. Medical personnel at nearby military hospitals said some of the wounded remain in critical condition, and the death toll could rise.

Aftermath

On 20 May 2025, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for launching at least six rounds of mortar fire that caused damage to properties in the vicinity of Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The affected area includes the Halane base camp, which hosts United Nations offices, African Union personnel, and various diplomatic missions.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-30 |title=Somalia: Mortar Attack Targets Mogadishu International Airport – Residents |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-mortar-attack-targets-mogadishu-international-airport-residents |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Garowe Online |language=en}}

In a separate incident in Hirshabelle State, a militant mortar attack killed three Somali Armed Forces personnel at the Hiilweyne military barracks near Bal’ad town in the Middle Shabelle region.{{Cite web |title=Al-Shabaab launches mortar attack on Halane Base Camp in Mogadishu |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/May/201581/al_shabaab_launches_mortar_attack_on_halane_base_camp_in_mogadishu.aspx |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}}

Reactions

= Domestic =

Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, condemned Al-Shabaab suicide attack and described the incident "Heinous attack" as he disregarded the group's for human life while falsely claiming Islamic motives. He also criticizes Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Hamza Abdi Barre administration for failing to secure and protect the camp.{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Sharif Sheikh |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Waxaan si kulul u cambaaraynayaa weerarka bahalnimo ee kooxda argagixisada Al-Shabaab saakay la beegsatay dhallinyaro Soomaaliyeed oo go'aansadey difaaca dalkooda iyo dadkooda. Weerarkaan nafla-caariga ah oo ka dhacay xerada Damaanyo ee Magaaladda Muqdisho wuxuu hoosta ka xariiqayaa sida kooxaha caadeystay daadinta dhiiga ummadda Soomaaliyeed ay uga fogyihiin damiirka dadnimada iyagoo ku been sheeganaya magaca diinteenna suubban ee islaamka. Waxaa sidoo kale wax laga xumaado ah in xukuumadda Federaalka ah iyo hay'addaha ammaanka caasimadda aysan wax masuuliyad ah iska saarin sugida amniga goobta uu ka dhacay weerarkaan bahalnimo ee lala bartilmaameedsaday dhallinyarada doonaysay in ay ka mid noqdaan Ciidamada qalabka sida. Waxaan ugu dambayn qoysaskooda iyo qaranka uga tacsiyeynayaa dhalinyarada ku geeriyootay weerarka waxaana inta dhaawacantay u rajeynayaa caafimaad deg deg ah. (@HESharifShAhmed) |url=https://twitter.com/HESharifShAhmed/status/1924066812284539319 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Twitter |language=so}}

Former Somali Prime Minister, Mohamed Hussein Roble, posted a condolence on X following a suicide bombing and requested a government investigation and additional public vigilance.{{Cite web |last=Roble |first=Mohamed Hussein |date=May 19, 2025 |title=BISMILLAHI Waxaan tacsi u dirayaa qoysaska iyo eheladii ay ka bexeen dhallinyardii Soomaaliyeed shalay argagixisadu ku laayeen Xerada Damaayo xilli ay saf ugu jireen in ay ku biiraan Ciidanka Qaranka. Waxaan Alle uga baryayaa inta dhimatay in uu jannadii Firdows ka waraabiyo, eheladoodana samir iyo iimaan ka siiyo, inta dhaawacantayna u boogo dhayo. Dowladda Soomaaliya waxaan ugu baaqayaa in baaritaan lagu sameeyo sidii wax u dheceen, shacabkana waxaan ku boorrinayaa in uu muujiyo feejignaan dheeri ah, maadaama aysan jirin cid ay kala soocayaan. (@MohamedHRoble) |url=https://twitter.com/MohamedHRoble/status/1924377955607650433 |access-date=May 20, 2025 |website=Twitter |language=so}}

Somali people expressed outrage in social media after a celebratory event was held in Mogadishu less than an hour after a violent incident. Critics condemned Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s party for dancing at a festive gathering while a suicide bombing at the Damaanyo military camp, located just one kilometre away, while dozens of youths were killed others hospitalized.{{Cite web |last=OgadenSoldier ⛩ |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Hamza Abdi Barre the deputy chairman of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's party, dances the night away with Dhaanto while over 50 Somali youths were rushed to the hospitals in Mogadishu after a suicide bomber struck Damaanyo camp located just 1 km away from @MoDSomaliya (@OgadenSoldier) |url=https://twitter.com/OgadenSoldier/status/1924224352016372215 |access-date=May 20, 2025 |website=Twitter}}

= International =

Arab Parliament,{{Cite web |title=Arab Parliament Condemns Terrorist Attack in Mogadishu |url=https://ina.iq/eng/40031-arab-parliament-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-mogadishu.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Iraqi News Agency}} Egypt,{{Cite web |title=Egypt condemns Mogadishu suicide bombing, reaffirms support for Somalia's security |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/May/201563/egypt_condemns_mogadishu_suicide_bombing_reaffirms_support_for_somalia_s_security.aspx |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=بيانات صادرة عن وزارة الخارجية - وزارة الخارجية |url=https://www.mfa.gov.eg/ar/Ministers/Details/StatementsAndWordsOfTheMinisterOfForeignAffairs/2088 |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=www.mfa.gov.eg |language=ar}} Jordan,{{Cite web |title=Jordan condemns terrorist attack on Somali military camp |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2025/May/201564/jordan_condemns_terrorist_attack_on_somali_military_camp.aspx |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}} Kuwait,{{Cite web |title=KUNA : Kuwait condemns terror attack in Mogadishu - Politics - 18/05/2025 |url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3232202&language=en |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=www.kuna.net.kw}} Saudi Arabia,{{Cite web |title=Saudi Arabia Condemns Suicide Attack in Mogadishu |url=https://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5144946-saudi-arabia-condemns-suicide-attack-mogadishu |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=english.aawsat.com |language=en}} and United Arab Emirates,{{Cite web |last=WAM |date=May 18, 2025 |title=UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack on military base in Mogadishu |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/bjqj20s-uae-strongly-condemns-terrorist-attack-military-1.500131682 |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Gulf News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=UAE Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack on Military Base in Mogadishu |url=https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2025/5/18/18-5-2025-UAE-Mogadishu |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=www.mofa.gov.ae |language=en}} strongly condemned the suicide attack.