Somalia: Suicide bombing in Mogadishu August 11

Event

A suicide bomber detonated explosives in front of a mosque in central Mogadishu on Friday, August 11. Initial reports indicate one soldier along with the suicide bomber were killed in the attack. The death toll is likely to rise in the coming hours as more details are released. Al-Shabaab is suspected of carrying out the attack.

Context

Mogadishu frequently experiences attacks by Al-Shabaab, which continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and UN-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

Advice

Individuals in Mogadishu are advised to avoid the site of the attack. More generally, due to extremely poor security conditions, professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to Somalia.