Explosion in Mogadishu market leaves 34 dead

Mire, a government soldier who was helping a friend with shrapnel wounds

The powerful explosion was the first major attack since Somalia’s new president was elected on Feb. 8. Although no group has yet claimed responsibility, it bears the hallmarks of Somalia’s Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab. In addition to visiting the wounded in a hospital, President Mohamed condemned the blast in a tweet, saying that it shows the “cruelty” of al-Shabab.

A few hours before the blast, alShabab denounced the new president as an “apostate” and vowed to continue fighting against his government.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, in a statement condemning the attack, said that “Italy remains solidly on Somalia’s side in the process of the country’s stabilization.” He added that “together we will act so that the terrorists don’t succeed in stopping the path of peace and reconciliation that is underway.”

FARAH ABDI WARSAMEH/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A man walks past the wreckage of shops Sunday destroyed by a blast in a market in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The explosion, which killed 34, bears the hallmarks of attacks by the Islamist extremist group al-Shabab.