Somalia: Over 20 killed in Al-Shabaab mid-noon truck bombing

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - More than 20 people were killed on Saturday afternoon in Somalia, witnesses said, in the latest "worst" attack targeting civilians in central Somalia, amid an ongoing crackdown against the Al-Shabaab, a group that has been causing chaos and mayhem in the country.

According to witnesses, the attack at Beledweyne, was the most devastating in as many months, with the death toll likely to rise significantly. Those injured have been rushed to regional hospitals for further treatment, but the government is yet to confirm the exact number of those who have died.

A truck bomb was detonated near a busy checkpoint near the town center, with the immediate target still not year known, witnesses said. The explosion caused massive destruction to neighboring residential areas within the country, witnesses added while acknowledging the presence of several bodies.

The checkpoint is located at the former beverages factory building known as Horseed, sources said, without giving much details. The town is fragile and quite exposed to Al-Shabaab attacks, but in recent weeks, it has been extremely calm, according to residents.

Beledweyne, 350Kms north of the Somali capital, Mogadishu is the Hiiraan regional capital within HirShabelle state, and lately, it has been the epicenter of the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, particularly through clan mobilization since last year.

The Al-Shabaab militants, through their proxy media houses, have already taken responsibility, without giving specific details on the target. However, the militants usually target senior government officials, security officers, and at times innocent civilians in the country.

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab militants have been attacking government forces in south and central Somalia, following the activation of operations against the group in central Somalia. The militants, however, have been facing defeats in the country given the sustained military operations.

On the 19th of this month, Somalia wrote to the United Nations Security Council, asking for a technical pause on the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

At least 3,000 soldiers were expected to leave the mission by the end of this month, but Somalia insists it needs at least three more months for the move to be effected.

GAROWE ONLINE