At least two people were killed in the Somali capital on Sunday and several others – including civilians – wounded when a bomb blast targeted a vehicle carrying a local government official.
Somalia: Blast kills 2 policemen near capital Mogadishu https://t.co/hJHXlNKf7t pic.twitter.com/GCIhKQCepU
— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) January 25, 2021
The attack took place near Bal'ad, where a main security checkpoint into Mogadishu is located, Ahmed Dahir, a local police official, told Anadolu Agency over the phone.
The attack was an improvised explosive device targeting the local government official, Dahir added.
"As far as I know, at least two people including a civilian were killed and several people including a civilian driving a moto rickshaw were wounded in the attack," he said.
Residents who spoke to Anadolu Agency over phone said they heard a huge explosion.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb attack but Somali-based al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group, has been responsible for many deadly bombings in the Horn of Africa country.
Summary on Saturday’s blast:
— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) February 13, 2021
- Police intercepted a VBIED.
- The vehicle passed through checkpoint causing forces to open fire & chased it.
- And this has allowed many people to flee away from road.
- 3 people killed.
- 8 people wounded.
- Blast destroyed 8 cars & 9 rickshaws. pic.twitter.com/2VMOekmQmq
The group claimed on Sunday that it had attacked several African Union peacekeeping mission forces bases in southern Somalia overnight.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
