The attacker, believed to be an Al-Shabaab militant, managed to infiltrate the training camp, located just meters from the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Mogadishu’s Hodan district.

The bomber detonated explosives around 11:20 a.m., targeting an area where junior military officers had gathered near a teashop inside the facility.

“This man, wearing a suicide vest, infiltrated the junior officers who were at the teashop. We don’t know how he got in,” said one military source at the scene.

The victims belonged to the 14th October Brigade, a unit established in memory of the nearly 600 people killed in the 2017 K-5 junction bombing, the deadliest terrorist attack in Africa’s recent history.

One of the survivors, a soldier identified only as Hassan, said the fatalities were caused by the suicide explosion, which struck while soldiers were lined up inside the training camp.

Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, confirmed the attack and said an investigation is underway.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defense described the incident as a terrorist act carried out by Al-Shabaab, referring to the group as “Khawarij”, a term Somali authorities use to label the militants.

“The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber from the Al-Shabaab Khawarij who targeted the entrance of the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy,” the statement read. “Security agencies have launched a full investigation, and the Somali public will be informed once findings are complete.”

The Jaalle Siyaad academy has previously been targeted by Al-Shabaab. In 2022, a similar suicide bombing at the same base killed 25 soldiers and injured more than 70.

Despite arrests of three military officers, including a colonel, no one was publicly prosecuted, and the investigation promised by the government has never been released.

Military sources also indicated that foreign trainers, including Western personnel supporting the Somali National Army, were present at the facility during the latest attack, though it remains unclear whether any were among the casualties.

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The brazen attack, carried out by a lone suicide bomber, targeted the 14 October brigade of the Somali National Army, leaving the nation in shock and raising serious concerns about security lapses.

Al-Shabaab was quick to claim responsibility for the attack, but critical questions remain unanswered, leaving a cloud of suspicion hanging over how the assailant managed to infiltrate the heavily fortified military base without detection.

Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), has unequivocally pointed to the involvement of an inside traitor, calling for an urgent and thorough investigation.

“I have no doubt that the bombing of Jaalle Siyad military camp was facilitated by an insider. A clear answer is expected from the Armed Forces,” added Madobe during a press briefing the day after the attack.

As the parliament began discussions on the incident two days later, lawmakers voiced their apprehensions, demanding a full inquiry into the matter.

“A disaster that happened as planned.”

MP Mohamed Abdi Maareye expressed the multitude of questions surrounding the attack, emphasizing that the incident occurred at Jaalle Siyad military camp, considered one of the most secure places in the capital.

“The act of terrorism that claimed the lives of many soldiers has left us with numerous unanswered questions. Why was the well-trained army, already engaged in combating Al-Shabaab, deployed there when they were not new recruits?” he inquired.

Adding to the growing suspicions, the pro-government and private media remained eerily silent about the attack. Lawmakers suggested a meticulously planned operation aimed at censoring media coverage through threats or bribery.

MP Maareye says he was baffled by the government-supported media’s silence, urging the parliament to swiftly establish a committee to investigate the matter.

“It shows how the thing was perfectly planned,” he added.

MP Abdirashid Hidig further stressed the need to scrutinize government employees and their possible links to extremist groups. He called for a reliable system to confirm the trustworthiness of those working for the government, highlighting the importance of protecting officials and the public alike.

The attack’s grim reality was described by MP Mohamed Barre as “a disaster that happened as planned.”

On her part, MP Sareedo Mohamed Abdalla pointed out that the soldiers were possibly targeted based on their clan identity, suggesting that the heinous act was perpetrated by individuals within the government who must be held accountable for their crimes.

In the wake of the tragedy, families of the fallen soldiers took to the streets in Marka, Lower Shabelle region, demanding the arrest of officials they believed were responsible for the security failures leading to the attack.

The government responded by announcing the arrest of three officers: Abdullahi Dhabow (Abdullahi Dheere), the head of intelligence for the army; Abdullahi Abdi Dawle from military intelligence; and Abdinasir Sharif Abdi, secretary to the commander of the infantry. However, Abdi Ali Raage, the deputy commander of the 14 October Brigade, remains a suspect but has not been apprehended.

The 14 October Brigade was formed after a major terror attack at the Soobe intersection in Mogadishu on October 14, 2017. Comprising soldiers from the Rahanweyn and Biyamaal clans, it played a vital role in liberating the Lower Shabelle region from Al-Shabaab’s control.

NISA leadership remain key suspect

Despite this success, inter-clan conflict between Habargedir of the Hawiye clan and the Biyamaal in Lower Shabelle continues to claim lives, exacerbating security challenges. A security source revealed that the soldiers initially resisted orders to move to Mogadishu for training, but coercion, including threats of salary cuts, forced their compliance on May 18.

But their journey was met with an Al-Shabaab ambush, resulting in injuries to several soldiers.

Renowned as a stalwart defender of the Lower Shabelle region’s interests, the 14 October Brigade stands as a well-armed and highly trained force.

Amidst suspicions, the main focus remains on the leadership of NISA (National Intelligence and Security Agency). Lawmakers demand the inclusion of NISA director Mahad Salad, a Habargedir, into the list of suspects to be investigated.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s reluctance to comply has only deepened suspicions, leaving affected families, clans, and the public questioning the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Clan rivalries and the persistent infiltration of Al-Shabaab into the government and security forces continue to undermine Somalia’s security, posing unresolved challenges that demand urgent attention.

As families and lawmakers search for answers to identify the true traitors behind the attack, there are growing concerns that this tragedy may fade into oblivion, leaving the pain to persist in the hearts of those affected.

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The devastating attack took place in the early hours of Monday, when a lone suicide bomber managed to infiltrate the Jaalle Siyaad military training camp and detonated an explosive vest amidst a group of military personnel and recruits from the 14th October Brigade, who had been lining up after their breakfast.

In the aftermath of the attack, some relatives of the fallen soldiers gathered for funeral prayers at Madina Hospital. They revealed that four more soldiers succumbed to their injuries later in the afternoon, further adding to the growing death toll.

The extremist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a press release, the militants put the number of those killed at 73 soldiers and 124 others injured.

According to their account, approximately 250 soldiers were present at the site when the attack occurred at around 8:15 a.m. local time in Mogadishu.

Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying scene to Kaab TV, confirming the presence of a young man entering the camp just moments before the deafening blast ripped through the area.

The 14 October Brigade, predominantly composed of individuals from the Biyamaal clan, had reportedly been recently transferred from their base in the town of Marka, located in the Lower Shabelle region, to undergo refresher training in Mogadishu.

Notably, the establishment of the 14 October Brigade stemmed from the tragic truck bombing that claimed hundreds of lives in Mogadishu on October 14, 2017.

The Somali government’s military radio posted a statement on its Facebook page, asserting that an investigation into the breach leading to the suicide bomber’s entry into the army camp is underway. However, the post was promptly removed, adding to the suspicions surrounding the attack.

Thus far, both the Ministry of Defense and the Command of the Armed Forces have refrained from releasing any official information regarding the attack. The nature of the attack, targeting a majority of soldiers from a single clan who had recently been relocated to the capital, has raised significant concerns and questions among the public.

As Mogadishu mourns the loss of the soldiers and grapples with the aftermath of this appalling attack, there is a little hope about any credible investigation into the true plotters of the attack.

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The devastating attack occurred early Monday when a lone suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest amidst military personnel and recruits from the 14th October Brigade, who were lining up after breakfast.

The aftermath was described as chaotic, with survivor Mohamed Adan recounting seeing at least 20 bodies scattered and numerous others injured as he fled the scene.

The fact that the bomber managed to infiltrate one of the most secure military bases in the capital remains a perplexing question.

A lone suicide bomber unleashed an explosion at a gathering place for new soldiers killing at least 15 recruits and left more than 30 others injured, according to witnesses.

Eyewitnesses, speaking to @KaabTV , recounted the horrifying scene as the recruits, primarily from the…

— Kaab Somali TV (@KaabTV) July 24, 2023

The 14th October Brigade holds significance as it was established to honor the victims of the deadliest terrorist attack in Africa, which occurred at Mogadishu’s Zobe junction, claiming hundreds of lives on October 14, 2017.

While mainly comprised of individuals from the Lower Shabelle region, military sources said they were brought into Mogadishu for a refresher training alongside new recruits.

The scene of the attack has been rife with confusion and distress, and as of now, the Somali Armed Forces Command has not released an official statement. Similarly, the Ministry of Defence officials have refrained from providing comments on the tragic incident.

Al-Shabaab, the extremist group notorious for its violent activities, has claimed responsibility for the Monday attack.

According to their statement, one of their members targeted a soldier in the queue, resulting in significant casualties.

The attack is part of a disturbing surge in bombings and terror assaults orchestrated by Al-Shabaab over the weekend.

In the preceding days, the country witnessed a bomb explosion at Jowhar town’s animal market, claiming the life of a Jowhar district official and injuring five others, including soldiers and civilians. Additionally, in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district, former Hirshabelle minister of agriculture, Hassan Ahmed Muudeey, fell victim to a fatal shooting carried out by gunmen on Sunday.

The series of relentless attacks has sent shockwaves across the nation, compelling authorities to maintain a high state of alertness in the past weeks.

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