(13/11/23) MOGADISHU – Somali security forces prevented a catastrophic explosion at Jaalle Siyad Military Academy in Mogadishu on Monday. The attempted attack, involving a suicide bomber, was successfully neutralised.
Eyewitnesses informed Halqabsi News that the assailant, donning a suicide vest, had the intention of targeting soldiers stationed near the entrance. The security forces, upon identifying the threat, swiftly engaged the attacker. This confrontation led to the premature detonation of the explosives, averting a larger tragedy.
The Ministry of Defence for the Federal Republic of Somalia released a statement regarding the incident: “This morning, our Somali National Army (SNA) effectively neutralised a potential threat outside Jaalle Siyad Military Academy. The assailant, equipped with a suicide vest, was intercepted before he could reach his target. Our forces remain vigilant in protecting our nation from such attacks.”
There were no casualties among the soldiers due to their prompt response and evasion tactics. However, the situation remains tense in the aftermath, with the Somali National Army engaged in securing the area.
This incident bears a stark resemblance to a previous attack at the same academy on 24 July earlier this year, which tragically resulted in the loss of over 30 soldiers. That attack, claimed by the militant group Al-Shabaab, also led to the arrest of several government officials.