Multiple bombings leave several dead in central Somalia: Report

JOHANNESBURG

Multiple bombings hit the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Monday, killing several people, the state-run news agency reported.

Four people, including Dr. Zakariye Mohamed Ahmed Hurre, the health minister for Hirshabelle state, were killed in the explosions, according to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).

According to SONNA, Beledweyne has been the epicenter of a recent local mobilization against the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The bombings came a day after Somali authorities announced that Abdullahi Nadir, a top leader of the al-Shabaab terrorists, had been killed in a joint operation by the Somali military and international partners.

Nadir had long been wanted by the Somali government, with a $3 million US bounty on his head.

Al-Shabaab has waged a deadly campaign against the Somali government and international forces since 2007.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the "heinous terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms."

A ministry statement also extended "condolences to the relatives as well as to the friendly and brotherly Government and people of Somalia, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

*Merve Aydogan contributed to this story from Ankara.