Al Shabab claims Mogadishu attacks as death toll rises to 45
The death toll from twin car bomb blasts in the Somalian capital has risen from 18 to 45, the government said yesterday.
Al Shabab militants claimed responsibility for Friday night’s attack in Mogadishu that took place near the president’s residence and a nearby hotel. Another 36 people were wounded.
The first explosion, which was followed by gunfire, took place at a security checkpoint close to Villa Somalia, the presidential palace, and the second took place at the hotel, police told Agence France-Presse.
However, a police source questioned the official toll.
“At least 15 people including a military officer and a local official died outside the palace last night and more than that were injured,” said Major Mohamed Abdullahi. “They were mostly palace guards and guards of officials who were at the scene. The death toll may rise.
“At the hotel, at least 21 died. So the total I have is 36 dead and more injured.”
Officials said the main attack was with a vehicle loaded with explosives that tried to breach a checkpoint leading to the presidential palace, but that security forces prevented the assault. “The security forces foiled the intent of the terrorists. They were aiming for key targets but they could not even go closer, there were five of them killed by the security force,” said Abdulahi Ahmed, a security officer.
Photographs showed at least five vehicles were destroyed outside the hotel, where the perimeter wall was also partly demolished in the blast.
Al Shabab said its fighters had killed 35 soldiers but five of its own also died.
“Five including the two drivers martyred from our side. We killed 35 soldiers in last night’s operations said Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al Shabab’s military operations spokesman.
“The other mujahideen came back safely.”
The group wants to overthrow the Somali government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Sharia.
It has killed hundreds of civilians across East Africa and thousands of Somalis in a decade-long insurgency.
In October, more than 500 people were killed in twin bomb blasts in Mogadishu.
Those attacks were the deadliest since Al Shabab began its insurgency in 2007, although the extremist group did not claim responsibility for that incident.
At least five vehicles were destroyed outside the hotel, where the perimeter wall was also partly demolished in the blast