Somalia: Puntland names committee after UN bus attack

GAROWE, Somalia, April 20, 2015 (GO)-Somalia’s northeastern state of Puntland has named a ministerial-level committee set to investigate the behind-the-scenes of attack on a bus carrying United Nations staffers in the state capital of Garowe, Garowe Online reports.

Among the 5-member committee are Security Minister Hassan Osman Mohamud Allore, Information Minister Abdiweli Hirsi Abdulle, State Minister for Health Abdulahi Jama Ali, Puntland Police Chief Gen. Mohamed Saed Jaqanaf and Intelligence head Col. Abdullahi.

Puntland Vice President was quick to tour the scene of the attack, calling the broad day light incident ‘futile, brutal and inhumane’ that would not derail the peace and stability of the region.

“We strongly condemn this brutal and inhumane attack. The government gives assurances that such rampages will not hurt existence and stability of Puntland,” Vice President Amey told journalists on the scene of the UN bus attack.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh condemned the apparentlycoordinated terror attack, wishing swift recovery to the wounded and patience to the bereaved families of those killed.

Mohamud urged Puntland authorities to remain united and vigilant against the enemy.

Victims of Bus Attack

Details released to Go disclose the death of six people in the attack.UNICEF unveiled that Brenda Kyeyune of Uganda, Woki Munyui, Payenda Gul, Afghan Kenyan, Stephen Adero, Kenyan and two security officers lost their lives in the suicide bombing.

Meanwhile, six others including American Jill Shermin are being treated at Garowe General hospital.

Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group boasted about the responsibility for attack. Military operations spokesman told Al Jazeera that a suicide bomber from the group killed undisclosed number of UN staffers in Garowe.

Puntland Defence Forces are battling Al Shabaab fighters in the rugged terrain of Galgala and hideouts along Golis Mountain Ranges.

On Saturday, militants launched raid on Police compound in the Gulf of Aden port city of Bossaso.

READ: Rare terror attack leaves 8 UN staff dead in Puntland

GAROWE ONLINE