This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/08/world/africa/at-least-15-are-killed-after-2-blasts-in-somalia.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
At Least 15 Are Killed After 2 Blasts in Somalia 2 Blasts Leave Over a Dozen Dead in Somalia’s Capital
(about 2 hours later)
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Two bombings killed at least 15 people on Saturday at a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, the latest in a series of deadly attacks that have undercut recent security gains here, officials said.MOGADISHU, Somalia — Two bombings killed at least 15 people on Saturday at a popular restaurant in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, the latest in a series of deadly attacks that have undercut recent security gains here, officials said.
The fearsome Islamist militant group known as the Shabab claimed responsibility for the attacks, a car bomb and a suicide bombing, which left bodies in the street near the twisted, blackened wreckage of cars.The fearsome Islamist militant group known as the Shabab claimed responsibility for the attacks, a car bomb and a suicide bombing, which left bodies in the street near the twisted, blackened wreckage of cars.
There were conflicting reports about the death toll, with the African Union, whose forces are helping fight the Shabab in Somalia, saying at least 15 were killed. Col. Mohamed Dahir Abdulle, the district police commissioner at Hamarwein, where the attack took place, told reporters at the scene that the two bombs had killed 18 people.There were conflicting reports about the death toll, with the African Union, whose forces are helping fight the Shabab in Somalia, saying at least 15 were killed. Col. Mohamed Dahir Abdulle, the district police commissioner at Hamarwein, where the attack took place, told reporters at the scene that the two bombs had killed 18 people.
“We condemn this terrorist attack targeted at innocent Somali civilians meant to endanger the security gains,” Fowziya Yusuf Aden, the foreign minister, said in a statement on Saturday.“We condemn this terrorist attack targeted at innocent Somali civilians meant to endanger the security gains,” Fowziya Yusuf Aden, the foreign minister, said in a statement on Saturday.
The attack on the Village restaurant ruptured a sunny day with clear blue skies around 11 a.m. First, a car loaded with explosives went off in a parking lot outside the restaurant. The suicide bomber then blew himself up, killing people who ran inside to take cover and others who had rushed to the scene. The explosion tore away much of the restaurant’s roof.The attack on the Village restaurant ruptured a sunny day with clear blue skies around 11 a.m. First, a car loaded with explosives went off in a parking lot outside the restaurant. The suicide bomber then blew himself up, killing people who ran inside to take cover and others who had rushed to the scene. The explosion tore away much of the restaurant’s roof.
Awale Geedi, an engineer who was just a few hundred feet away from the initial blast, said he had warned a colleague and two women not to go near the blast site. All three were caught in the ensuing explosion, he said.Awale Geedi, an engineer who was just a few hundred feet away from the initial blast, said he had warned a colleague and two women not to go near the blast site. All three were caught in the ensuing explosion, he said.
“This is actually very shocking, losing colleagues who were healthy just minutes ago.” Mr. Geedi said. “These continued attacks are unacceptable. The government has to do something to change the situation.”“This is actually very shocking, losing colleagues who were healthy just minutes ago.” Mr. Geedi said. “These continued attacks are unacceptable. The government has to do something to change the situation.”
Wounded people screamed in pain as they were loaded into ambulances, and soldiers immediately sealed the area, firing bullets into the sky, according to witnesses.Wounded people screamed in pain as they were loaded into ambulances, and soldiers immediately sealed the area, firing bullets into the sky, according to witnesses.
Two contradictory pictures of Mogadishu have emerged in recent years. One is of a city on the mend, rebounding with the help of returning businesspeople who are restoring vibrancy after decades of fighting. The other is of a city rocked by terrorism and violent crime.Two contradictory pictures of Mogadishu have emerged in recent years. One is of a city on the mend, rebounding with the help of returning businesspeople who are restoring vibrancy after decades of fighting. The other is of a city rocked by terrorism and violent crime.
The militants appeared to have calculated their attacks to undermine the image of a safer Somali capital as much as possible. An assault on a fortified United Nations compound in June, which left 15 people dead, including seven attackers, was particularly chilling. Before that, the court complex was the scene of a similarly brazen attack.The militants appeared to have calculated their attacks to undermine the image of a safer Somali capital as much as possible. An assault on a fortified United Nations compound in June, which left 15 people dead, including seven attackers, was particularly chilling. Before that, the court complex was the scene of a similarly brazen attack.
“Such cruel and cowardly acts of terrorism serve to remind us that the people of Somalia desperately need peace,” Nicholas Kay, the United Nations special representative for Somalia, said in a statement.“Such cruel and cowardly acts of terrorism serve to remind us that the people of Somalia desperately need peace,” Nicholas Kay, the United Nations special representative for Somalia, said in a statement.
The year-old government has won recognition from the United States and the International Monetary Fund but is struggling to get its footing, as security remains an overriding concern. Mogadishu has experienced what passes here for relative calm after African Union forces and the Somali Army pushed the Shabab into a hasty retreat from the city in 2011.The year-old government has won recognition from the United States and the International Monetary Fund but is struggling to get its footing, as security remains an overriding concern. Mogadishu has experienced what passes here for relative calm after African Union forces and the Somali Army pushed the Shabab into a hasty retreat from the city in 2011.
The Somali government has recently been holding series of reconciliation and national policy conferences in Mogadishu, inviting expatriate Somalis to return in light of the improved security. The Somali government has recently been holding a series of reconciliation and national policy conferences in Mogadishu, inviting expatriate Somalis to return in light of the improved security.
The Village restaurant is run by Ahmed Jama, an expatriate who returned to Somalia after running a successful cafe in London. The restaurant is popular with government workers and journalists, but remains an inviting target to the Shabab. Last September, suicide bombers attacked the restaurant, killing 14 people.The Village restaurant is run by Ahmed Jama, an expatriate who returned to Somalia after running a successful cafe in London. The restaurant is popular with government workers and journalists, but remains an inviting target to the Shabab. Last September, suicide bombers attacked the restaurant, killing 14 people.
The Shabab have recently focused terrorist attacks on popular sites, determined to disrupt normal life. The Lido Seafood restaurant at the busy Lido Beach was hit by a remotely detonated car bomb in February. A well-visited sports bar was attacked, as was the National Theater.The Shabab have recently focused terrorist attacks on popular sites, determined to disrupt normal life. The Lido Seafood restaurant at the busy Lido Beach was hit by a remotely detonated car bomb in February. A well-visited sports bar was attacked, as was the National Theater.
Government convoys have been repeatedly targeted as well, as have foreign dignitaries and missions. Last month, two Somalis were killed and a visiting Swedish politician was shot and wounded in what was believed to be a failed kidnapping attempt.Government convoys have been repeatedly targeted as well, as have foreign dignitaries and missions. Last month, two Somalis were killed and a visiting Swedish politician was shot and wounded in what was believed to be a failed kidnapping attempt.

Mohammed Ibrahim reported from Mogadishu, and Nicholas Kulish from Nairobi, Kenya.

Mohammed Ibrahim reported from Mogadishu, and Nicholas Kulish from Nairobi, Kenya.