Somalia: Civilians killed in Al-Shabaab explosion

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least eight civilians were killed on Sunday in a suspected Al-Shabaab explosion, sources said, few hours after triple airstrikes activated by the US Africa Command left 10 militants dead in Lower Juba within the Jubaland state of Somalia.

According to sources, the IED explosion targeted a rickshaw carrying civilians near Bulo Burde within the Hiiraan region in central Somalia. Hiiraan region has been unstable in the last couple of weeks after regional leader Ali Gudlawe Hussein sacked Governor Jeyte Osman, who was the key mobilizer of clan militia fighting Al-Shabaab.

According to sources, among those killed were seven men and a woman, who were traveling in a rickshaw before being hit by an Improvised Explosive Device [IED]at Jicibow area. They headed back to their homes from the farm in the Ji’ibow area of Bulo Burde district, sources added.

Saadam Abdi Idow, the District Commissioner of Bulo Burde confirmed the incident while condemning the militants for the attack. The Al-Shabaab militants have often targeted civilians, members of security forces, and senior government officials in their cowardly attacks.

“These people were a family who came from their fields on a three-wheeled motorcycle and they were hit by the explosion and they died,” said Saadam Abdi.

The US Africa Command has pledged to work closely with Somali National Army as it intensifies its crackdown against Al-Shabaab militants. Also participating in the crackdown are the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] forces who have since started gradual withdrawal.

In the coming weeks, the Somali National Army, US Africa Command, ATMIS, and local militia will activate a crackdown against Al-Shabaab in Jubaland and Southwest states, as the country prepares for the final assault. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has asked for reinforcement from neighboring countries.

GAROWE ONLINE