Suicide Blast in Mogadishu Kills six, including Senior Somali Police Officers

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A bomber has targeted a police station in Mogadishu on Sunday night, killing at least six people in Somalia’s capital, police said, in the latest attack in the country amid a political crisis.

A witness told Garowe Online that he saw bodies lying on the ground at the Waberi police station, near Maka al Mukarama road, the busiest street in Mogadishu following the devastating suicide car bombing.

“The blast was huge and the station is now destroyed. Cars were ruined and several nearby buildings are also damaged,” said witness Yasin Haji, adding the ambulances rushed the wounded to the hospitals.

Somali security officials have confirmed that at least six people, including Waberi police chief Ahmed Bashane and Deputy Commander for Waliyow Adde Police Division Abdi Basid were killed in the attack.

Outgoing Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, PM Mohamed Hussein Roble, and some opposition candidates slammed the assault as “heinous and barbaric”, sending their condolences to the family and friends who lost their loved ones in the incident.

"I condemn the terrorist attack on the Waberi district police station. I extend my condolences to the families and the people of Somalia for the loss of lives and property,” said the PM in a statement.

Al-Shabaab has immediately claimed the responsibility for the explosion that came amid thousands of security personnel, including police and intelligence being assigned to secure Mogadishu earlier this Holy month of Ramadan.

The attack happens just 10 days before the opening of crucial election talks called for by the country's Prime Minister last week to discuss the contentious issues surrounding the poll after outgoing president Farmajo dropped his term extension.

GAROWE ONLINE