Somalia: More than 61 people were killed in Mogadishu on Saturday when a suicide car bomb was detonated at a busy security checkpoint in the Somali capital.
At least 90 civilians, mostly students, were injured in the blast at the security and taxation checkpoint, Mogadishu Mayor Omar Muhamoud told reporters at the scene.
Security official Abdulahi Adan said the blast came from a suicide bomb in a truck. A minibus full of university students was reportedly among the victims.
“Dozens of injured people were screaming for help, but the police immediately opened fire and I rushed back to my house,” a witness said.
Al Qaeda-linked Islamist group al Shabaab, which wants to topple the United Nations-backed government in Somalia claimed they are responsible for the attack.
The extremist group was forced out of the capital city several years ago but continues to target high-profile areas such as checkpoints and hotels. Two weeks ago, the group attacked a hotel popular with politicians, army officers and diplomats, killing five people.
Somalia has suffered through violent conflict since 1991 after clan warlords overthrew dictator Siad Barre and then turned against each
other.
