Eight dead in Somalia bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab: police
15 January 2023 |
11:54 am
Police said Sunday that eight people were killed in a roadside bombing claimed by Al-Shabaab in central Somalia where a major offensive is underway to retake territory from the jihadists. {ad} The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon in Buloburde, a city in Hiran district where government forces and clan militias have been battling the Al-Qaeda-linked…
{ad}
The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon in Buloburde, a city in Hiran district where government forces and clan militias have been battling the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents since the middle of last year.
The bomber detonated a car laden with explosives near an administrative building, said Abdullahi Mohamud, a local police commander.
“Five people were killed on the spot, while three others died overnight in hospital,” he said on Sunday, adding the bomber had been planning to destroy the city’s main bridge before redirecting the attack at a civilian area.
Witnesses said the explosion damaged buildings and the city’s main mosque.
“I saw the bodies of five people. Two were elders coming out of the mosque,” said Muhidin Sokorow, who witnessed the blast.
{ad}
Separately, police said a car bomb was detonated in Jalalaqsi, another town in Hiran, but only the attacker died.
A second attack was foiled and the suspect detained trying to flee a vehicle packed with explosives, police said.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for all three attacks in a message transmitted via its communication service.
The militants have been waging a bloody insurgency against the frail internationally-backed central government for 15 years, carrying out attacks both in Somalia and neighbouring countries.
In recent months, the army and local clan militias have retaken swathes of territory in the centre of the country in an operation backed by US air strikes and an African Union force.
But the insurgents have frequently retaliated with bloody attacks, underlining their ability to strike at the heart of Somali towns and military installations despite the offensive.
Nineteen people were killed in twin car bombings in Mahas, a town in Hiran, earlier this month.
{ad}
Related
1 hour ago
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has said the government and the media are not opponents, but partners in nation-building, occasional misunderstanding notwithstanding.
1 hour ago
President Bola Tinubu has said the cordial relations Nigeria enjoys with France, China and Denmark over the years should translate to mutual economic benefits for citizens, particularly in key areas of education, health, and infrastructure.
1 hour ago
Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying of petrol, assuring them of sufficient petroleum products for the consumers.
1 hour ago
President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion in Medical Relief Programme for the provision of vital drugs to those in need, especially those affected by flooding.
2 hours ago
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has called for improved remuneration for academics, stressing that it is unfair that professors in the country don’t earn up to N1 million in a month in salaries and allowances.
2 hours ago
Amid growing hardship and insecurity, farmers have called on the Federal Government to provide subsidies and implement policies to help them achieve food security.
2 hours ago
No fewer than four persons were reportedly killed in a clash between bandits and vigilantes at Dogon Ruwa community in Bashar District of Wase Local Council of Plateau State on Wednesday night
2 hours ago
A division of the Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday reserved its judgment on an appeal brought by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) challenging its proscription as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government.
2 hours ago
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and strong supporter of President Bola Tinubu, Jesutega Onokpasa, has criticised presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, for allegedly giving the wrong impression
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.