At least five people injured as Al-Shabaab bombs Bulo Burte airstrip in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least five people were injured on Sunday following a bomb blast at Bulo Burte airstrip in the Hiraan region, in the latest Al-Shabaab attack within Somalia as the country struggles with political crisis, which could potentially split the country.

Reports indicate that the blast, which has since been owned by Al-Shabaab militants, destroyed a section of the airstrip, further raising questions about the security of the country, which is struggling with instability.

Area MP Mohamud Benebenne confirmed the incident noting it was the second time the militant group had attacked the new departure and arrival terminal recently built in EU funded project.

Pictures shared by the MP show a destroyed building that was used as a waiting bay for passengers.

The federal MP condemned the attack terming it an afront to progress in the region. He called for more security at the airport and the construction of permanent facilities.

According to authorities, soldiers were among the people injured in an explosion inside Buoloburte airport, which also caused severe damage to parts of the airport's office building. Those wounded in the attack were taken to the nearby hospital.

Buloburte district commissioner Ahmed Mahad Nur told VOA's Somali service that Al-Shabaab was behind the bombings at Buloburte airport, which houses Djiboutian forces under AMISOM.

He said Al-Shabaab had sneaked into the airport, then detonated the bomb at the airport's generator section. The militants control areas in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, where they are battling Somali and AU troops.

"I strongly condemn today's terrorist attack by Al Shabaab terrorists at the Bulaburde airport in the Hiiraan region. by MP Abdullahi Godah Barre, a Member of Somali Parliament.

This is the second time such an attack has been carried out on the airport, one of the most functioning airports in the Hiiraan region. It was not immediately clear who the militants were targeting but it's their norm to target innocent civilians across the Horn of Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE