The Memory of the Hargaha and Saamaha Explosion

Thirteen years have passed since the horrific bombing on October 4, 2011, targeting the former headquarters of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency in Mogadishu, which left a historical mark on the collective memory of the Somali community. The attack, which claimed the lives of nearly a hundred people, mostly students, parents, and civilians, became one of the most tragic events in Somalia's history, especially during a time when the country was grappling with prolonged conflicts and the harsh conditions that arose from them.

It became part of a national history overshadowed by famine and devastation.

On the morning of Tuesday, October 4, 2011, around ten thirty in the morning, a cargo truck known as a DYNA, filled with explosives and fuel, was targeted at the former headquarters of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency, located near the KM4 junction, opposite the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The vehicle exploded at the checkpoint protecting the building, where at that time several ministries of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia were operating, with some reports indicating up to eight ministries, including the Ministry of Education.

} The center was very busy that day, as hundreds of students and parents gathered to find out the results of the scholarship exam that the Turkish government had organized for Somali students. These young people hoped to gain an opportunity to continue their education, acquire knowledge, build their future, and realize their aspirations for learning, intellectual growth, and development. However, the hopes and educational aspirations they carried turned into disaster, destruction, and devastation within minutes when a powerful explosion shook the buildings of the center and the nearby areas.

The explosion caused extensive damage to the center's structure, with parts of the walls and roofs collapsing, affecting those inside the building and those passing by on the road in front of it. Vehicles caught fire, while others were trapped under the collapsed buildings, further increasing the scale and magnitude of the disaster.

Rescue efforts for those affected by the disaster began immediately, as search and rescue operations were underway, and hospitals in Mogadishu were overwhelmed with the injured being brought in and relatives searching for their loved ones. Parents, siblings, and relatives rushed to the hospitals and the explosion site to get news about those they expected to be at the center that day, struggling with grief, worry, and a sense of panic.

The reports published at that time showed the extent of the loss of life, and they became part of the record and tracking of that historical event. The preliminary statistics varied, however, the data that was later recorded indicated that at least one hundred people died in the explosion, while at least 90 others were injured.

The deceased and the injured included many students waiting for scholarships, their parents, and other civilians. A local report published on October 6, 2011, stated that 45 students died in the explosion, although the specific number of those students was not independently verified.

The destruction of buildings also complicated the rescue and recovery efforts, which required continuous effort, tracking, and searching. Heavy equipment and cranes were used in the debris removal operations. This work did not end on the day of the explosion alone, but continued in the following days, as missing persons and other bodies were sought in the collapsed buildings.

Local media reported on October 9, 2011, five days after the explosion, that bodies were still being recovered from the rubble of the Hargaha and Saamaha center. This highlighted the extent of the destruction that occurred and the difficulties faced by the rescue teams and families searching for their loved ones. It also served as a testament to the magnitude of the disaster and the devastation that occurred that day.

Responsibility for the Attack and Its Purpose

The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab. Its spokesperson, Ali Mahmoud Rage (Ali-Dhere), announced that the explosion was carried out by his group, and described the attack as targeting the centers of the Transitional Government and the forces operating there.

Al-Shabaab also stated that the person who detonated the vehicle was named Bishaar Abdullahi Noor, who, as reports at the time indicated, had previously recorded a message expressing his views against education, which he described as un-Islamic. The attack drew strong condemnation from the Somali Government, the United Nations, the Turkish Government, human rights organizations, and other countries around the world. This condemnation reflected the sentiment and concern regarding the impact on civilians.

In particular, Human Rights Watch described the explosion as an unjustifiable attack that harmed civilians, who became victims of this disaster. The organization also noted in its reports the violence being inflicted on education in Somalia, which included attacks on educational institutions, students, and teachers. These reports became part of the record and evidence of the violence that occurred at that time.

Changes in Al-Shabaab's Combat Tactics

Apart from the loss of life and property destruction, the Hargaha and Saamaha explosion indicated a change in Al-Shabaab's combat tactics, which is a phenomenon worthy of reflection and analysis.

Two months before that attack, in August 2011, Al-Shabaab withdrew from the major bases it had in Mogadishu, following battles with the Transitional Federal Government forces and those of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Although it withdrew from most of those bases, it did not lose the capability to carry out attacks within the capital. This was part of the evolution of the conflicts and the changing tactics of that time.

The Critical Threats Institute, in an analysis published on October 4, 2011, described the Hargaha and Saamaha explosion as an example illustrating the shift in the group's tactics, moving away from territorial control and face-to-face combat, towards stealth attacks and bombings targeting government facilities. Thus, this attack demonstrated that Al-Shabaab's withdrawal from the bases it had in Mogadishu did not eliminate the threat it still posed to the security of the capital and its civilian population. It also became evidence of the evolution and signs of that change.

The Aftermath is Still Visible

The Hargaha and Saamaha explosion particularly harmed the hopes of Somali youth who wanted to build their future through education and knowledge, and to make progress in learning, intellectual development, and academic advancement. It also highlighted the impact of the ongoing conflicts in the country on community life, especially for students and educational institutions. It left a mark on the aspirations and educational horizons that those youths were striving for.

The tragedy was followed by international condemnation and calls for the protection of civilians, with the Turkish government once again demonstrating its commitment to supporting Somalia and continuing efforts for peace and development. These efforts were part of the peace process and support for the Somali community.

Fifteen years later, the Hargaha and Saamaha bombing still leaves a painful memory for the families and relatives of those who lost their lives, the survivors, and the entire Somali community. It is a memory accompanied by grief and loss of life, and has become part of the collective memory and national history.

The memory of this event is not only limited to the number of people who died, the extent of the destruction, or the resulting losses, but also carries the memory of the aspirations and future of the youth who lost their lives that day. It is part of the collective memory of the nation, a historical archive, and life experiences that require reflection and reconsideration to avoid repeating historical mistakes.

The bombing on October 4, 2011 left a historical scar that has yet to heal, and a memory that reminds us of the value of peace, the safety of citizens, and the protection of civilian lives. It is a historical trace and a legacy of memory that should be acknowledged, and is part of the history and collective memory of the Somali people.