At least six people were killed and 10 others injured on Saturday in two separate bomb blasts in Somalia, just a day after Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressed the United Nations, accusing Ethiopia of violating Somalia’s territorial integrity. #SomaliaBombBlasts
The first explosion struck Mogadishu’s Hamar Weyne district. A vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near a busy restaurant close to Somalia’s National Theater.
Witnesses reported seeing at least three dead bodies, two of whom were women. “The explosion happened near Gel Doh restaurant, frequented by government staff and diaspora visitors,” said Mohamed Haji Nur, a witness.
The restaurant is popular for serving traditional Somali cuisine and is located about one kilometer from the president’s office.
In a separate incident, a bomb planted in a livestock market in Jowhar, a city in the Middle Shabelle region, killed one person and injured three others.
The local police confirmed that the casualties were all civilians.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet. However, the militant Islamist group al-Shabab frequently conducts bombings in Mogadishu.
These attacks came just a day after Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In his speech on Friday, Barre accused Ethiopia of actions that “flagrantly violate” Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The prime minister’s comments refer to Ethiopia’s recent controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia that declared independence in 1991 but lacks international recognition.
The deal, struck in January, allows Ethiopia to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for recognizing the self-declared state’s autonomy.
Mogadishu has condemned the agreement, accusing Ethiopia of attempting to annex Somali territory. Barre expressed concern that Ethiopia’s efforts to establish a naval base and commercial port in Somaliland undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and could encourage separatist movements.
Somalia bomb blasts underscore the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab to national security
Moreover, the Somalia bomb blasts serve as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by militant groups. Al-Shabaab remains a major force behind the violence, disrupting government efforts. This attack intensifies concerns over future stability.
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