At least 2 killed in twin blasts near Somalia's AU base
MOGADISHU, Jan. 2 (PNA/Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and several others injured in twin blasts by extremist group Al-Shabaab near the base of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and a luxury hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Monday.
Mohamed Jama, a police officer at the scene, told Xinhua the first explosion went off near a checkpoint manned by soldiers next to the entrance of the Halane base, which hosts both UN and AU personnel and is close to the airport.
"The first bomb-laden car exploded at a checkpoint near Halane military base and shortly after a truck blew up next to heavily-guarded Peace Hotel," Jama said, adding two people have been confirmed dead.
Located near the Halane base, Peace Hotel is frequented by diplomats and government officials. Heads of state and government from the East African bloc IGAD held a day-long meeting at the hotel in 2016.
AMISOM spokesman Joe Kibet told Xinhua that a suicide car bomb was detonated at the checkpoint, while AU troops later destroyed another approaching explosive-laden car some 200 meters from the base.
"There were no AMISOM casualties but civilian casualties must have been registered," Kibet said.
Eyewitnesses said at least four people were killed in the two blasts.
Local resident Nasteho Ibrahim, who lives near the scene of the explosions, told Xinhua the blasts were huge.
"The blasts were very heavy and we could feel the impact from our houses shaking," said Ibrahim.
The Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the explosions. The group has carried out frequent attacks in Somalia in its decade-long fight against the government.(PNA/Xinhua)
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