Over a dozen killed in al-Shabab attacks in Somalia
Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants have claimed two deadly attacks close to the presidential palace in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
Somali police officials said the first explosion took place at a checkpoint outside Mogadishu’s national theater, some 500 meters from the president's heavily fortified residence, sending a plume of smoke into air.
The second blast, more powerful and described as “very big” by witnesses, came minutes later at a nearby crossroads. At least 13 people were killed in the attacks.
"The first suicide car bomb at the checkpoint killed five people mostly security soldiers. Four others were injured. Death toll may rise. It is too early to have details of second blast," Major Mohamed Hussein told Reuters.
Police said a lawmaker, a deputy mayor of Mogadishu, and a colonel are among those killed.
A witness at the scene of the second blast said he saw at least two dead bodies, with al-Shabab Takfiri terrorist group announcing that the attack was aimed at targeting those who had responded to the first.
"We have confirmed seven people died in the two blasts and more than ten others wounded," local police spokesman Ibrahim Mohamed said. "The security forces have cordoned off the area and an investigation is ongoing."
Somalia's London-based Universal TV said three of its staff were among the fatalities in the Saturday twin blasts.
The al-Qaeda-linked militant outfit, which has long sought to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government, was forced out of Mogadishu by African Union forces in 2011.
Al-Shabab militants have stepped up their attacks in the past months, launching attacks on civilian and government targets and killing and injuring many people.
The terrorist group has fought successive Somali governments as well as neighboring governments in Kenya and Uganda.
African Union forces have helped Somali government forces push the Takfiri terrorists out of the capital, Mogadishu, and large parts of the south and central Somalia. However, al-Shabab continues deadly attacks across the country.
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