Blast kills 3 in Somali capital amid electioneering period

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but, local police pointed the finger of the blame at the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group, which is waging a decade-long insurgency in Somalia.

News Keydmedia Online
25 April 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least three people have been confirmed dead and several wounded in a remote-controlled landmine blast in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia on Monday morning.

The explosion which took place at the busy Bendir intersection targeted a vehicle carrying a senior Somali military officer identified as General Mohamed Hashi who survived unhurt the assassination bid.

Hashi was hit by the bomb as he left Villa Baidoa military base near Medina hospital and drove to the ministry of defense headquarters within the capital. His driver, a soldier, and a civilian were killed in the IED.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but, local police pointed the finger of the blame at the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group, which is waging a decade-long insurgency in Somalia.

Last Friday, at least six people have died in a huge suicide explosion at a restaurant on Lido beach in Mogadishu, targeting the country’s police chief Gen Abdi Hassan Hijar, and members of the parliament.

The attacks are increasing as Somalia is in an electioneering period with a new parliament sworn in on April 14 and currently in the final preparation of the election of its speaker slated for April 27 at Afisyoni near the airport.

The parliament came under mortar attack twice on the swearing-in day and first joint session on April 18 which the MPs endorsed procedures and schedules of the house leadership election.

KEYDMEDIA English