Somali Army Thwarts Suicide Attack at General Dhagabadan Military Camp

Somali Army Thwarts Suicide Attack at General Dhagabadan Military Camp

Mogadishu experienced another tense security incident late Wednesday when Somali army guards stopped a suicide bomber attempting to infiltrate General Dhagabadan military camp, one of the country’s most important training bases. According to officials, the quick response of the guards prevented what could have been a major attack on the facility and potentially saved many lives.

The Somali National Army reported that the attacker approached the camp’s main entrance wearing a concealed explosive vest. He attempted to blend into a line of soldiers entering the gate in hopes of slipping past security undetected. Guards stationed at the checkpoint noticed suspicious behavior and immediately opened fire, killing the bomber before he could detonate the device.

Although the bomber was neutralized before reaching crowded areas of the camp, several members of the security detail were injured during the exchange. Officials have not yet revealed the number of wounded personnel or the severity of their injuries, but they emphasized that the casualties would have been far greater had the bomber entered deeper into the facility.

General Dhagabadan camp has long been considered a high-value target for al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly struck the area in past years. The volatile security environment has made vigilance a crucial part of daily operations for the soldiers stationed there. Wednesday’s incident served as another reminder of how persistent the threat remains and how important frontline alertness is in preventing mass-casualty attacks.

The camp has a tragic history of suicide bombings. In November 2022, an attacker detonated explosives at the front gate, killing at least 12 people and injuring 11 more. Witnesses described seeing “lifeless bodies” scattered near the entrance, and residents reported several smaller explosions after the initial blast. Earlier that same year, a bomber disguised as a soldier joined a line of recruits and detonated his vest, killing one soldier and wounding several others. In June 2021, at least 20 people were killed in another major suicide attack, while a later bombing attempt in 2021 resulted only in the bomber’s own death when he detonated prematurely.

Despite these repeated attacks, the camp’s importance has only grown. Following a major upgrade in July 2024, the European Union inaugurated new training facilities, including modern shooting ranges and multi-purpose training tracks. These enhancements were part of a broader EU-supported initiative funded through the European Peace Facility, which allocated 110 million euros to strengthen the Somali National Army’s training and operational capabilities.

Authorities say investigators are now reviewing Wednesday’s attempted attack to determine whether the bomber had accomplices or a wider support network in Mogadishu. Security officials emphasized that attacks of this kind often involve logistical planners, facilitators, or surveillance teams working behind the scenes. The ongoing investigation will focus on identifying those networks and preventing similar attempts in the future.

As Somalia continues its nationwide stabilization efforts, the foiled attack at General Dhagabadan highlights both the ongoing danger posed by extremist groups and the growing professionalism of Somali security forces. The quick action of the guards not only prevented another tragedy but also reinforced confidence in the army’s ability to protect its own ranks and the nation at large.