A bomb explosion reported in Somalia, 2nd attack in a week

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - A few weeks after a bomb blast in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, another explosion has been reported in central regions, which could trigger questions about the progress made in the fight against Al-Shabaab, a group that has been fighting to take over the government.

According to reports, Wednesday's explosion was reported in a restaurant in Beledweyne' Hawo Tako neighbourhood, which is frequented by people from all walks of life, including those from low-income regions within the city.

The explosion left a government soldier and a civilian dead, police said, without mentioning the cause of the landmine explosion. Most of those affected were from the Guufaale area of Beledweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region in central Somalia.

Further reports indicate that the explosion also injured a woman who was running the restaurant. She has been taken to a medical facility in Beledweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region, multiple sources confirmed later.

Already, the local leadership has mobilized security teams who have commenced investigations immediately. Government soldiers are also common in the restaurant and have been conducting operations within the region.

The blast, which was heard across several parts of Beledweyne, comes as explosive attacks have declined in the city. Previously, the town was the battlefield for the war against al-Shabaab militants in central Somalia, particularly during the first phase of operations.

Al-Shabaab militants are known for such attacks usually targeting innocent civilians, government officials, and security personnel. The group is fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has steadily gained ground.

GAROWE ONLINE