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| Somalia's al-Shabab claims Baidoa attack killing 30 | Somalia's al-Shabab claims Baidoa attack killing 30 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it carried out Sunday's attack in Somalia's southern city of Baidoa that killed at least 30 people. | Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it carried out Sunday's attack in Somalia's southern city of Baidoa that killed at least 30 people. |
| A car bomb exploded outside a restaurant as people were watching the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal. | A car bomb exploded outside a restaurant as people were watching the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal. |
| In a second explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a busy junction. | In a second explosion, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a busy junction. |
| This is the fourth major al-Shabab attack in Somalia since the beginning of the year. | This is the fourth major al-Shabab attack in Somalia since the beginning of the year. |
| It came on the same day as countries which contribute to the African Union force in Somalia, Amisom, pledged "to reinforce military operations in Somalia, to effectively counter threats from al-Shabab". | It came on the same day as countries which contribute to the African Union force in Somalia, Amisom, pledged "to reinforce military operations in Somalia, to effectively counter threats from al-Shabab". |
| Africa Live: BBC news updates | Africa Live: BBC news updates |
| New questions for African force in Somalia | New questions for African force in Somalia |
| Who are al-Shabab? | Who are al-Shabab? |
| President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday evening in response to the Baidoa attack, and Security Minister Abdirizak Mohamed Omar called for extra laws to help the government fight the militant group. | President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday evening in response to the Baidoa attack, and Security Minister Abdirizak Mohamed Omar called for extra laws to help the government fight the militant group. |
| AU representative in Somalia Francisco Madeira condemned the attack saying he was "saddened by the loss of innocent lives through acts of terror committed by ruthless individuals who have no value for life". | AU representative in Somalia Francisco Madeira condemned the attack saying he was "saddened by the loss of innocent lives through acts of terror committed by ruthless individuals who have no value for life". |
| In addition to the 30 deaths, the attacks injured 60 people who are being treated in hospital, a local journalist told the BBC. | In addition to the 30 deaths, the attacks injured 60 people who are being treated in hospital, a local journalist told the BBC. |
| Major al-Shabab attacks in 2016 | |
| 15 January - on a Kenyan base in el-Ade that Somalia's president said killed at least 180 soldiers | 15 January - on a Kenyan base in el-Ade that Somalia's president said killed at least 180 soldiers |
| 21 January - on a restaurant at Mogadishu's Lido beach killing 20 people | 21 January - on a restaurant at Mogadishu's Lido beach killing 20 people |
| 26 February - on Mogadishu's SYL hotel killing nine people | 26 February - on Mogadishu's SYL hotel killing nine people |
| 28 February - on a restaurant and busy junction in Baidoa killing at least 30 people | 28 February - on a restaurant and busy junction in Baidoa killing at least 30 people |
| Baidoa is being protected by Ethiopian soldiers, who make up part of the 22,000-strong Amisom force. | Baidoa is being protected by Ethiopian soldiers, who make up part of the 22,000-strong Amisom force. |
| Troops from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Djibouti are also part of the force that supports the Somali government in its attempt to gain control over the country. | Troops from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Sierra Leone and Djibouti are also part of the force that supports the Somali government in its attempt to gain control over the country. |
| Heads of state from the troop supplying countries said after a meeting in Djibouti on Sunday that they were concerned about the "decision by the European Union to reduce financial support to Amisom... by 20% especially during this critical phase of operations". | |
| The EU, which pays for troop allowances, decided to cut its funding earlier this month. | |
| Facing up to al-Shabab: Tomi Oladipo, BBC Africa Security correspondent | |
| The leaders of the countries contributing troops to Amisom have called for an urgent review of their military response to al-Shabab, following weeks of sustained violence. | |
| In addition to the weekend's attacks, jihadi fighters have clashed with Amisom troops in different parts of the country, forcing the peacekeepers to withdraw from some areas. | |
| Somalia's allies now say more needs to be done to stem these attacks. | |
| The Amisom nations agreed at Sunday's meeting in Djibouti that they need more funding and logistical support for their own operations, not to mention helping the Somali National Army stand on its own feet. | |
| The leaders complained that the absence of their troops in some key regions provided a safe haven for al-Shabab. |