Suicide car bomb hits military base in Somalia's capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A powerful suicide bombing a Somali military base facility in Mogadishu on Saturday morning, the second attack in the volatile seaside city within this month, Garowe Online reports.

A witness reported hearing an explosion, followed by gunfire from the 12th April Army Brigade base near the newly renovated Mogadishu stadium that was reopened by President Farmajo last month after 16 years of inactivity.

Col. Ahmed Ali said at least 8 soldiers at the gate of the camp have lost their lives in the blast and fatalities could increase as several others were badly wounded who have been admitted to a nearby hospital.

Shortly after the deadly bombing, Somali troops have cordoned off the perimeter of the base with armored personnel carriers. Heavily armed soldiers kept residents far from the base gates.

Al-Shabaab which occupied the city for years before being driven out in 2011 has claimed the car bomb attack at the military camp in Mogadishu, according to a statement posted on the group's affiliated media outlets. 

Last week, Al-Shabaab has targeted a popular restaurant near Mogadishu seaport with an attack carried out by a suicide bomber who blew himself up at the entrance gate of Lul Yemeny eatery, killing at least three people.

GAROWE ONLINE