Somalia Blast

Unknown number dead after militant attack on Somalia hotel in Beledweyne

A car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. Somali security forces continued efforts to flush out attackers late Tuesday after heavy gunfire. The Cairo Hotel houses traditional elders and military officers involved in coordinating the government's offensive against the militant group al-Shabab. The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Beledweyne, about 335 km north of the capital, Mogadishu, is the capital of the Hiran region and a strategic location in the ongoing campaign against al-Shabab. Death tolls varied. Resident Muhsin Abdullahi said six people, including two well-known traditional elders, were killed. But witness Hussein Jeelle Raage said three of his family members were among at least 11 people he knew were dead. Footage shared on social media showed thick smoke rising from the hotel, with significant destruction to the .

32 people died, 63 wounded in Somalia hotel attack, Al-Shabab responsible

Police in Somalia said Saturday that 32 people died and 63 others were wounded in an attack on a beach hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, the previous evening. Police spokesperson Maj. Abdifatah Adan Hassa, told journalists that one soldier was killed in the attack and that the rest were civilians. Another soldier was also wounded in the attack, Hassan said. Witnesses reported an explosion followed by gunfire. Al-Qaida's East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab, said through its radio that its fighters carried out the attack. Lido Beach, a popular area in Mogadishu, is bustling on Friday nights as Somalis enjoy their weekend. A witness, Mohamud Moalim, told The Associated Press that he saw an attacker wearing an explosive vest moments before the man blew himself up next to the beach-view hotel. Moalim said some of his friends who were with him at the hotel were killed and others were wounded. Another witness, Abdisalam Adam, told AP that he saw many people lying on the ground and had help

Twin suicide bombings targeting Somalia's military kill at least 10

Police in Somalia say two suicide car bombers killed at least 10 people early Wednesday when they targeted a military facility in a region at the heart of the government's offensive against al-Shabab extremists. The attack occurred in the Mahaas district of Hiran region after the dawn prayer. It was loud and heard all across the town, resident Osman Abdullahi told The Associated Press. I have rescued several people wounded in the attack, including soldiers and journalists who were embedded with soldiers. Police official Mahad Abdulle told the AP the vehicles exploded in a neighbourhood full of civilians and that at least 10 people were killed. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Mahaas is at the centre of the ongoing government offensive against al-Shabab, the al-Qaida-linked group of thousands of fighters that has controlled parts of central and southern Somalia for years. The government has vowed to defeat it this year. The Somali army, together with local militias,

Two car explosions rock Somalia's capital, leaving 'scores' dead: Police

Two car bombs exploded Saturday at a busy junction in Somalia's capital near key government offices, leaving scores of civilian casualties, police told state media. The attack came five years after a massive blast at the same location. The Somalia National News Agency cited national police spokesman Sadiq Dodishe on the toll. The attack in Mogadishu occurred on a day when the president, prime minister and other senior officials were meeting to discuss combating violent extremism, especially by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabab group that often targets the capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. An Associated Press journalist at the scene saw many bodies and said they appeared to be civilians traveling on public transport. He said the second blast occurred in front of a busy restaurant. Images from the scene showed crushed tuk-tuks and other vehicles. The director of the Aamin ambulance service told the AP they had collected many wounded or killed. One of the ...

Massive car bomb in Somalia's capital kills at least 76, leaves 70 injured

The blast occurred at a busy intersection southwest of the Somali capital where traffic is heavy because of a security checkpoint and a tax office

UN condemns bombing in Somalia; death toll rises to 230

More than 288 people have been injured

Somalia blast toll rises to 300

Somalia Government has blamed the al-Qaida-linked Al-Shabaab extremist group for the attack

Somalia blast toll touches 53 as hospitals struggle to cope with casualties

Somalia's government has blamed the al-Qaida-linked al- Shabab extremist group for the attack