15 November 2017•Update: 15 November 2017
By Hassan Istiila
MOGADISHU, Somalia
The government has released the names and photographs of the suicide bomber who died in the last month's deadly truck bombing in the capital Mogadishu that killed more than 350 people.
Minister of Internal Security Mohamed Abukar Islow told state-owned broadcaster Somali National TV that the man who drove the truck had been identified as Osman Hajji.
In addition, he identified five suspects who had been arrested in connection with Oct. 14 attack.
The blast has widely been blamed on al-Shabaab, although the group has not claimed responsibility.
The suspects were named as Hassan Adan Isack, said to be the driver of a second vehicle; alleged bomber Ali Yussuf Ways; Abdiweli Ahmed Dirie, reputedly chief explosive expert in Mogadishu; Muktar Mohamed, who is accused of masterminding the attack; and Abdullahi Abdi Warsame.
The truck owner is still being sought by police, the minister said.
A month after the attack, the government released CCTV footage showing the explosives-packed truck smashing into other vehicles at Zoobe intersection shortly before the blast.
On Tuesday, young people organized a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of the blast that was attended by the families of victims and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre.
Khayre called for unity in the face of "an act of pure evil".
