Jordan condemns terrorist attack on Somali military camp

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the “terrorist” attack that targeted the Somali army’s Damaanyo camp in the capital, Mogadishu, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan’s full solidarity with Somalia in confronting the “heinous act”, stressing the Kingdom’s rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilising security and stability.

Qudah extended condolences to the government and people of Somalia, as well as to the families of the victims, wishing the injured a swift recovery, according to a ministry statement.

Several people were killed and others wounded when a suicide bomber, thought to be from the Al-Shabab militant group, targeted an army recruitment centre in Mogadishu on Sunday, Somali authorities and witnesses said, according to AFP.

The attacker, disguised as a civilian, detonated explosives outside the XeroDamaayo camp in southern Mogadishu at 9:20 am (0620 GMT), the information ministry said.

"Casualties have been reported, but details are still being verified," the ministry said.

"Security forces are on the scene and have launched an investigation."

Islamist militant group Al Shabab, which is linked to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

"The Mujahidin carried out an explosion targeting apostates who stayed in front of XeroDamaayo in Mogadishu's Hodon district. They were enlisting to join the forces," the group said.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and casualties near the blast site.

Adan Yare, a Tuktuk driver who was passing close to the area, said the road had been crowded with civilians when the explosion occurred, with people waiting to enter the military camp.

"I was very lucky because when the explosion occurred, I had already driven past the area.

"The explosion shook my Tuktuk and when I stopped and looked back, there were several people lying (on the ground), some of them dead and others wounded," he said.

Another witness, Saalim Nur, said he saw the bodies of five civilians.

"I was in a minibus. We were about a few hundred metres away from the scene when the explosion occurred.

"The whole area has become rubble, with stones and sand flying," he said.

Somalia has suffered a resurgence of attacks by Al Shabab in recent months.

The group, which is fighting to overthrow the government, has intensified its campaign in the impoverished and climate-vulnerable country.

In March, Al Shabab claimed responsibility for a bomb that narrowly missed the presidential convoy in Mogadishu, and in April, militants fired mortar shells near the capital's airport.