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Somali capital Mogadishu hit by 'suicide attack' | Somali capital Mogadishu hit by 'suicide attack' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least five people have been killed in a suicide attack targeting African Union peacekeepers in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses say. | At least five people have been killed in a suicide attack targeting African Union peacekeepers in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, witnesses say. |
A witness told the BBC he had seen the bodies of five civilians after a car exploded. | A witness told the BBC he had seen the bodies of five civilians after a car exploded. |
The AU has confirmed that two of its soldiers were wounded in the attack on one of its armoured vehicles. | The AU has confirmed that two of its soldiers were wounded in the attack on one of its armoured vehicles. |
No group has said it was behind the explosion but al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab has often staged similar attacks. | No group has said it was behind the explosion but al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab has often staged similar attacks. |
Its fighters were forced from its bases in the city two years ago but they have carried out hit-and-run bombings since then. | |
Last month, at least 15 people, including four foreigners, were killed in an assault on a heavily guarded UN office in Mogadishu. | |
The vehicle which exploded on Friday was in the same area of the capital, not far from the airport and several blocks away from the UN office. | |
A witness in the area told the BBC Somali Service the vehicle exploded in front of roadside shops. | |
"We have two minor injuries. This is not something that can stop Amisom [the AU force] from stabilising Somalia,'' AP news agency quotes the AU spokesman Col Ali Aden Houmed as saying. | |
Ahead of Ramadan, which began on Wednesday, the government warned the public that the Islamist militants tend to be more active during the holy Muslim fasting month. | |
Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia - and despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years still remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside. | Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia - and despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years still remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside. |
Some 18,000 African Union troops are in Somalia supporting the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by MPs last September. | Some 18,000 African Union troops are in Somalia supporting the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by MPs last September. |
His administration is the first one in more than two decades to be recognised by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). | His administration is the first one in more than two decades to be recognised by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). |