Somalia Police spokesman survives bomb explosion in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A top police officer survived a bomb blast in Somalia, in the latest wave of violence within the Horn of Africa nation, which has struggled to contain violent extremism and terrorism, with inter-clan politics also taking a toll on an already weakened system of government.

Somali police spokesman Sadik Aden survived an attempt on his life after a landmine struck his car in Mogadishu on Tuesday night at 8:55 pm local time, further raising doubts about the safety of the security officers and top government officials in the country.

One civilian killed and several other innocent people were hurt, per a hospital source. Those who were injured were rushed to different hospitals within the Somali capital, which has recently been facing tough security challenges due to increased terror attacks.

Before the confirmation, police said Tuesday's blast in Mogadishu was a roadside bomb that targeted a bulletproof vehicle carrying a government official at 21 October street near the Afisyoni Airforce complex close to the heavily fortified airport.

The area around Aden Abdulle International Airport is prone to attacks despite being heavily guarded by both the Somali National Army and those from the African Union Mission Forces in Somalia. The troops have been guarding all VIP facilities within the Somali capital.

The attack also comes just a few days after the Al-Shabaab group claimed responsibility for an attack targeting a Turkish construction company, which left at least five people including two Turkish nationals dead. The attack was widely condemned by various security stakeholders.

Although no group is yet to take responsibility, Al-Shabaab usually targets security officers, top government officials, and at times, innocent civilians. The group still controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but have been significantly weakened.

GAROWE ONLINE