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2020 Galkayo bombing

A suicide bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab struck Abdullahi Isse stadium in Galkayo, Somalia, on 18 December 2020, killing 17 people, including four high-ranking military and civic officials, and wounding at least 20.

SOLVED2020

Abdullahi Isse stadium, Galkayo, Somalia

3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On 18 December 2020, a suicide bomber attacked Abdullahi Isse stadium in the city of Galkayo, Somalia. The attack occurred while Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble was scheduled to speak at the venue alongside several high-ranking military commanders. The bombing has been attributed to the militant group Al-Shabaab.

The blast killed 17 people and wounded at least 20 others. Among the dead were four notable figures: Gen. Abdiaziz Abdullahi Qooje, commander of Division 21 of the Somali National Army; Col. Mukhtar Abdi Adan, regional commander of the Danab Brigade's Galmudug Division, 10th Brigade; Maj. Dhamme Abdirahman Mire Ali, deputy commander of the same Danab Brigade unit; and Mohamud Yasin Ahmed, a former mayor of Galkayo in the Puntland Division.

The attack targeted a gathering that included senior Somali National Army leadership, resulting in the loss of multiple ranking commanders in a single incident.

Key facts

Victims
Mohamud Yasin Ahmed, Dhamme Abdirahman Mire Ali, Abdiaziz Abdullahi Qooje, Mukhtar Abdi Adan
Date
2020
Location
Abdullahi Isse stadium, Galkayo, Somalia
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2020-12-18

    A suicide bomber attacked Abdullahi Isse stadium in Galkayo, Somalia, during an event where the prime minister and several high-ranking military commanders were present. The bombing killed 17 and wounded at least 20.

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People

  • Mohamud Yasin Ahmed

    VICTIM

    Former mayor of Galkayo, Puntland Division; killed in the bombing

  • Dhamme Abdirahman Mire Ali

    VICTIM

    Major, deputy commander of Danab Brigade, Galmudug Division, 10th Brigade; killed in the bombing

  • Abdiaziz Abdullahi Qooje

    VICTIM

    General, commander of Division 21 of the Somali National Army; killed in the bombing

  • Mukhtar Abdi Adan

    VICTIM

    Colonel, regional commander of Danab Brigade, Galmudug Division, 10th Brigade; killed in the bombing

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Abdullahi Isse stadium, Galkayo, Somalia

6.7697, 47.4308

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
A suicide bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab struck Abdullahi Isse stadium in Galkayo, Somalia, on 18 December 2020, killing 17 people, including four high-ranking military and civic officials, and wounding at least 20.
Where did the bombing happen?
Abdullahi Isse stadium, Galkayo, Somalia.
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Somalia

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDIC2020 Galkayo bombingWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — BBC NewsBBC News · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — ReutersReuters · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 07, 2026

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