Two military sources reported that "a suicide bomber killed at least 30 soldiers and injured dozens inside a military academy in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, today, Monday, in an attack claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab." The explosion targeted the Jalle Siad military academy. A soldier at the Mogadishu military hospital stated that he counted the bodies of 13 soldiers in addition to over 20 injured in the attack. Al-Shabaab announced in a statement that the suicide bomber killed 73 soldiers and injured 124 others.
The Somali militant group has been armed since 2006 to overthrow the central government and establish its rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic law. A military officer, who requested to be referred to only as Major Abdullah, stated: "We confirmed the death of 30 and the injury of 73 others in the explosion that occurred at the training camp." Another military source confirmed the same death toll. Captain Ali Farah mentioned that "the killed and injured, many of whom he knows, are from the Lower Shabelle region and came to the capital for training." He added that he is "aware of 10 deaths so far." He continued, saying that "the soldiers were lined up, and their numbers were being counted when the suicide bomber detonated himself." The explosion today targeted the Jalle Siad military academy.
