At least 8 die in twin vehicle blasts in Somalia
Monday, January 2, 2017
By Allen Cone
Soldiers and civilians were among those killed by "massive and devastating" explosions, Ahmed Abdullahi, Wadajir district commissioner, told Anadolu Agency. The fatalities included the two suicide bombers.
The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack; it is
"The first car bomb was a suicide," Abdi Ganey, a Somali national intelligence and security agency officer, told Anadolu Agency. "Our forces stopped the car and seconds later the car went off. The other blast took place near a hotel, near the airport."
A witness who asked not to be named for security reasons told Voice of America, "First I heard gunshots, then a car explosion and then we took a duck. When we came out to help the wounded we saw a big truck drive through it [checkpoint] and it exploded."
Peace Hotel sustained massive damage, as did several houses nearby, said Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulle, a reporter for VOA's Somali Service.
"This is a terrorist act carried out by a group that does not want to see peace and governance in Somalia," said Somali Foreign Minister Abdusalam
Somali officials and foreigners often stay at the hotel.
At least 8 die in twin vehicle blasts in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- At least eight people were killed and 16 others wounded after two suicide vehicle bombs detonated near Mogadishu international airport on Monday afternoon. Ambulances services and Somali officials confirmed the cas