Incident Summary:

12/18/2020: A suicide bomber detonated targeting a rally for Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble at Abdullahi Isse Stadium in Galkayo, Mudug, Somalia. In addition to the assailant, at least 21 people were killed, including three senior military officials and a former mayor, and at least 19 people were injured in the blast. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident.

GTD ID:
202012180009

When:
2020-12-18

Country:
Somalia

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Mudug

City:
Galkayo

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Assassination
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Somalia
Specific Description Rally of Prime Minister: Mohamed Hussein Roble
Nationality of Target Somalia
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Somali Armed Forces (SAF)
Specific Description Senior Military Officials: General Abdiazis Abdullahi Abdi, Colonel Mukhtar Abdi Aden
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 Suicide (carried bodily by human being)
Weapon Details
An explosives-laden vest was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?Yes
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information The victims included Naima Ali and Former Mayor Mohmus Yasin Tumey. Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the majority reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Al-Shabaab Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Personal claim)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 1
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 22 Fatalities / 19 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 22
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 1
Total Number of Injured 19
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Death toll rises to 16 in Somalia suicide bombing," Jordan Times, December 19, 2020.
"Suicide Bomber Kills 10 in Somalia Just Before Scheduled Address by PM," VOA News, December 18, 2020.
"Suicide bombing kills six in central Somalia," News24, December 18, 2020.