Militant Attack: Shabaab Strikes Djibouti Military Base with Suicide Bomb in Central Somalia

The aftermath of Saturday’s deadly car bomb in Mogadishu reeks of al Shabaab’s notorious style. Feisal Omar, REUTERS

Yesterday, Shabaab, East Africa’s al Qaeda branch, claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb targeting Djiboutian and Somali forces at a military base in central Somalia’s Hiraan region. This marks the year’s 14th suicide bombing by Shabaab.

The car bomb struck the Beledweyne HQ of Djiboutian troops under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as the site was transferring to Somali government control.

Four lives were lost—three civilians and one Somali soldier. No word yet if Djiboutian forces were among the casualties. Shabaab boasted of injuring and killing over 29, though they often exaggerate numbers.

ATMIS forces are pulling back more troops in line with the African Union’s goal to conclude ATMIS’ mission by year’s end. Ethiopian troops have also vacated another Hiraan base recently, while Kenyan forces handed over a site in southern Somalia.

Striking the ATMIS base during its handover to the Somali National Army (SNA) underlines Shabaab’s lasting clout in central Somalia, despite consistent military actions for two years. It highlights the vulnerability of this ATMIS drawdown.

Yesterday’s suicide attack signals what Somalia may face as ATMIS exits. The African Union acknowledges this threat and is working on a replacement mission to maintain vital security support for the Somali government in Mogadishu.

Reports by FDD’s Long War Journal show that this is the 14th suicide bombing by Shabaab in 2023. This is half the number by this time last year, suggesting a significant drop in such operations.

However, this tally is consistent with other years, especially from 2016 to 2021, when Shabaab averaged around 30 bombings annually.

Caleb Weiss serves as editor for FDD’s Long War Journal and senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, focusing on ISIS’s growth in Central Africa.