By Horn Africa News Staff | Mogadishu
Somalia — A deadly landmine explosion struck a Somali military base in the Afgoye district on Thursday morning, killing a senior officer and injuring two others. The incident occurred at the 7th Battalion camp, roughly 30 kilometers west of the capital, Mogadishu.
According to military sources, the blast claimed the life of Captain Mahmoud Saleeban Salaad, the commander of the 64th unit. Two soldiers from his personal security team were also wounded in the explosion.
Authorities have yet to determine whether the device was planted inside the base or detonated remotely. Somali military forces have launched an investigation, and senior officers have visited the site for assessment.
Neither the Afgooye district administration nor the Somali National Army has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Afgooye, a volatile district on the outskirts of Mogadishu, has frequently witnessed attacks targeting both security forces and civilians. The militant group Al-Shabaab, which has carried out similar operations in the region, is suspected to be behind Thursday’s blast.
The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in southern Somalia, even as government forces continue counterterrorism operations across the country.
