At least six people, including three Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed in an explosion and targeted assassinations in the restive capital Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said on Monday.

The explosion rocked an intersection called Bar-Ubax located near Al-Shabaab-held Bakara Market, killing three people who are said to be the planting the landmines. 

The explosions were powerful which was caused by two landmines. We don’t know the people behind it because the area is controlled by anti-government forces,” said a resident who requested not to be identified.

However, confidential reports claim that fighters from Hizbul Islam militant group, Al-Shabaab’s arch rivals were behind the explosions. Al-Shabaab officials say the explosions were targeted on the group’s top officials, who reside from the area.

“We will officially talk about the explosions once we finish the investigations. At the moment, we can’t blame anyone,” said an Al-Shabaab official who spoke with reporters..

Meanwhile, three Al-Shabaab fighters were also killed inside Bakara Market by unknown assassins. According to eyewitnesses, the bodies of the three with gunshot wounds on the heads were found abandoned in the area.

The two groups were once engaged in a joint war against the UN-backed government but broke ranks after fighting over southern Somali regions, leading to unofficial brutal internal strife targets top officials from both sides.

GAROWE ONLINE