Laptop blast wounds six at airstrip in central Somalia-Update

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia-At least six people have been reported wounded in an explosion in the compounds of an airstrip in central Beledweyne town on Monday, Garowe Online reports.

The wounded includes passengers and Djiboutian peacekeepers according to initial reports.

A laptop bomb embedded in the luggage of would-be suicide bomber is believed to have gone off during a tight security check before plane takeoff.

Abdirahman Omar Osman, who became an adviser to Somali President, has tweeted that six people have been killed in the explosion.

No independent sources could verify the nature of the airstrip blast.

In early February, Daalo Airlines plane made emergency landing at Adan Ade international airport after bomb ripped a hole in fuselage in an airborne operation claimed by Somali militant group, Al Shabaab.

Djibouti contingents serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army (SNA) are co-located in the provincial capital of Hiran, Beledweyne.

The airstrip explosion coincides with efforts to form an administration for Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions.

Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers have removed militants from a string of strategic towns in central and southern Somalia.

Al Shabaab is still active in a large chunk of territories, and has stepped up deadly rampage targeting government officials, military installations and foreigners.

GAROWEONLINE