At least 10 people, including one member of parliament, were reported dead on Wednesday after Islamist suicide bombers detonated their explosives in the regional capital of Beledweyne in central Somalia.
The attack came on the same day as terrorists forced their way into Mogadishu’s airport, killing eight, according to Somali officials.
Amina Mohamed, who was in Beledweyne to defend her seat in upcoming elections, was among those killed by the suicide bombers, along with other politicians and security forces, a spokesperson for the police, Hassan Dhi’isow, told the dpa.
Fifteen people were injured in the attack, which has been claimed by the Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab. Earlier, al-Shabaab militants dressed in military uniforms had gained entry to the airport in the national capital Mogadishu.
The airport is situated in a heavily fortified area that is also home to embassies and government institutions.
The attackers began shooting indiscriminately at one of the entrances to the site, a police officer, Mohamed Dahir, told dpa.
They then set off explosives, killing themselves and others. Two of the dead were attackers. Of the other six, five were foreigners.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for both attacks via the Andalus radio station. Somalia is currently on edge because elections, already postponed several times, are under way.
The country of around 16 million, situated on the Horn of Africa, has been plagued by violence at the hands of al-Shabaab for years.
The terrorist group, which controls vast swathes of land in the south and central regions, frequently attacks security forces and civilians.
Jabril Yahye Isse Goobsan Media Inc.
