Incident Summary:

02/23/2018: A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle and assailants opened fire at a military checkpoint outside the presidential palace in Villa Somalia area, Mogadishu, Somalia. This was one of two coordinated suicide bombings in Mogadishu on this date. At least 50 people, including five assailants, were killed and 36 people were injured across both attacks; the victims included soldiers and civilians. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incidents.

GTD ID:
201802230004

When:
2018-02-23

Country:
Somalia

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Banaadir

City:
Mogadishu

Location Details:
The incident occurred in the Villa Somalia area of the Warta Nabada neighborhood.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Somalia
Specific Description Presidential Palace
Nationality of Target Somalia
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Somali Armed Forces (SAF)
Specific Description Checkpoint
Nationality of Target Somalia
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Unknown
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Vehicle
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?Yes
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the most recent reliable estimates are reported here. Casualty numbers represent a division of the total number of those killed and wounded across incidents 201802230004 and 201802230005.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Al-Shabaab Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Posted to website, blog, etc.)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 4
Number of Captured Perpetrators 1
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 25 Fatalities / 18 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 25
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 3
Total Number of Injured 18
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"18 Killed By Car Bombs In Somali Capital," AFP (World Service), February 23, 2018.
"Over 25 reportedly killed in Somali capital attack," Shabeelle Media Network.net, February 24, 2018.
"Car Bombs Kill 20 in Somali Capital," Latin American Herald Tribune, February 24, 2018.