Mogadishu Attack: Car bomb claims the lives of three civilians in Somali capital
At least three civilians have died in a deadly blast along a popular street in Mogadishu. A car bomb went off outside a busy street known as Makka Al Muka-rrama on Friday evening, ending a period of relative stability in the city.
Paramedics rushed to the scene to ferry the wounded to hospital, but not all were lucky – as a mother of three died on the spot.
Three of her children survived but suffered deadly injuries after a huge blast targeted the downtown area of Mogadishu – just outside Dar Ul Shifa hospital
“Their mother died from the initial blast – they were passing by in a rickshaw and were caught in the attacks, I am now taking care of her three children,” said one female, still in shock over the attacks.
It’s the second blast to rock the city in less than a week – but so far there’s been no claim of responsibility – militant group Al-Shabaab has been known to carry out similar attacks in the past
Nearby buildings were destroyed – including a city hospital. The target remains unknown – with authorities yet to issue an official statement.
“I was having tea at a nearby restaurant and a huge blast went off – the vehicle was parked along the road – from the initial blast three people died and two were injured,” one male told CGTN Africa.
The attack comes amid heightened security in the capital – authorities have blocked key roads and increased security presence following recent threats by the militants.
However, Mogadishu claims the upper hand in its fight against terror but such attacks in the heart of the capital suggest otherwise.
The latest attacks come as authorities are working on transitioning security from African Union forces who’ve been in Somalia for over a decade.
Al-Shabaab’s ever changing tactics have frustrated security forces in the country. Earlier this year, it was ranked the most deadliest terrorist group in Africa, followed by Boko Haram in Nigeria. However president Farmajo is confident the group will be eliminated within two years – but experts warn that more needs to be done before then.
