Massive explosion kills seven in Somali capital
Somali soldiers stand at the scene of an explosion in the capital Mogadishu May 3, 2014. Photo: ReutersAt least seven people including a prominent Somali official have been killed in a bomb attack by al-Shabab fighters in the capital Mogadishu.
The al-Shabab militant group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. The al-Qaida-linked group has carried out several attacks, over the past month, targeting government officials.
Somalia\’s fragile government is struggling to impose any sense of order more than two decades after the fall of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre tipped the country into chaos.
The city has been hit by a series of suicide bomb attacks in the past few months, claimed by al Qaeda-linked militants al Shabaab, who have waged a sustained guerrilla campaign even after they were pushed out of the city in mid-2011.
Police said the bomb that killed the city official was hidden in a pile of rubbish placed along the road. They said the other people killed were thought to be his guards.
At least 25 people were wounded, medical officials said.
The African Union and Somali troops have ousted al-Shabab militants from most of their strongholds in major cities but the militants have continued to carry out attacks.
Source: Agencies
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