Children among 10 killed in Somalia bus bombing - police

The site of the deadly blast is a haven for Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group which been fighting the topple of the western-backed Somali government based in Mogadishu for more than a decade.

News Keydmedia Online
5 February 2022

KISMAYO, Somalia - Police say at least ten people were killed and several others wounded after a landmine blast struck a passenger bus in southern Somalia on Friday as the country faces a myriad crisis.

Capt. Mohamed Hussein, a police officer confirmed to Keydmedia English that the explosion took place on Friday as the minibus was traveling along a highway near Abdalla-Birole area, west of Kismayo city.

The site of the deadly blast is a haven for Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group which been fighting the topple of the western-backed Somali government based in Mogadishu for more than a decade.

“The bus was torn apart by a roadside bomb in the vicinity of Abdalla-Birole area as it was heading to Kismayo on Friday. We don’t who planted it on the road but there is an investigation,” added Hussein.

Several others who have suffered injuries have been admitted to Kismayo hospital for medical treatment. There is a fear of the toll rising further as some injured are critical, according to the health officials.

The police said no group had admitted carrying out the outrageous bus attack, which authorities suspect Al-Shabaab to be behind the appalling incident that sent a wave of shock across the country. 

The Security in Kismayo and surrounding areas has been deteriorating in recent days after Al Shabaab militants attacked Jubaland military bases on the outskirts of the southern port city.

Somalia is currently in the middle of a crisis, including a standoff among the political stakeholders over the election fraud which drew the attention of the international community who warned post-election violence if the process is not returned on the agreed right path.

KEYDMEDIA English