Somalia: Multiple explosions in Mogadishu kill 8 19 May 19, 2012 - 8:57:04 AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia May 19 2012 (Garowe Online) - Multiple explosions in Mogadishu's busy Bakara market and another blast in east Mogadishu killed 8 and injured more than 15 on Saturday, Radio Garowe reports.
There were two blasts in Mogadishu's busy Bakara market - one of the biggest and busiest in east Africa - was timed when AMISOM and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops were dismantling shops set up illegally in the market.
TFG authorities say grenades were thrown at AMISOM and TFG forces in the market. Police managed to apprehend over 50 people at the scene of the blast who according to TFG authorities contain the culprits who committed the attacks that killed 2 soldiers and 1 civilian and injured at least 11. The injured were immediately rushed to Banadir hospital.
In east Mogadishu an AMISOM and TFG convoy passing through Gubta, a neighborhood in the Daynile district were targeted with a road side bomb, at least 5 troops were killed and two injured in the huge blast.
According to local sources, two AMISOM soldiers were injured in the blast. However AMISOM officials have yet to speak on the multiple blasts that rocked Mogadishu on Saturday.
Al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the blasts saying the attacks are part of a new strategy to target AMISOM and TFG convoys that patrol the streets of Mogadishu.
Al Shabaab who announced their departure from Mogadishu last August, regularly wage attacks on AMISOM and TFG forces in the capital. Although security in Mogadishu has been significantly increased, analysts say Al Shabaab have deeply infiltrated the capital and that there so called exodus of Mogadishu was a simple ploy to throw off the TFG and citizens of Mogadishu.
