Seven killed in Somalian car bombing

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Seven people were killed in a suicide attack in the Somalian capital Mogadishu late Tuesday, an official said.

Soldiers and civilians were caught in the car bomb blast at an army checkpoint near the presidential palace and the national theatre, Abdifatah Omar Hallane, spokesman for the Banaadir regional municipality said.

Ten others were wounded in the explosion.

“A suicide bomber with a massive vehicle improvised explosive device targeted an army checkpoint near the national theatre,” Hallane said. “We have seen at least seven people, including soldiers and four civilians, killed and more than 10 people wounded.”

Police Sgt. Mohammed Bulle also confirmed the death toll to Anadolu Agency.

The attack happened hours after Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire announced his Cabinet.

Al-Shabaab, which has carried out a long-running terror campaign in Somalia, later claimed responsibility.