Somalia: Turkish military plane airlifts wounded bomb blast victims

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Badly wounded victims of Saturday's deadly Mogadishu deadly attack were airlifted to Turkey for treatment on Sunday, December 29, Garowe Online reports.

A military cargo plane landed on Sunday at Aden Adde International Airport, also loaded with medical supplies and emergency doctors, Garowe Online can confirm.

At least 45 people, including an 8-year-old baby who lost his mom the attack, are said to be in critical condition who need sophisticated treatment.

The Federal Government of Somalia said at least 148 people were injured.

Among the 79 people who died at "Ex-Control" police checkpoint were students and 17 police officers, the Somalia government said on Saturday.

Turkey embassy tweeted: "Turkish military cargo airplane has landed at Mogadishu Airport in order to transfer injured Somali people to Turkey for medical treatment."

Wounded people have crowded Medina Hospital in Mogadishu, one of the largest facilities that can handle high magnitude emergency cases.

The plane, Turkey added, "It also brought medical staff to support medical services at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Hospital and emergency medical supplies."

For years, Ankara has been a key development partner of Mogadishu, funding key infrastructure projects alongside the Qatar government.

Also, the country has set a military base in Somalia in its quest to push for peace and stability. A section of the Somali National Army is trained in Turkey.

Turkey, which emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism said it "will keep on providing support with determination to Somalia."

During the deadly attack, two Turkish nationals working as engineers died on the spot, Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Awad said.

Saturday's attack was the worst onslaught targeting civilians within Somalia since 2017. The death toll could hit 100 and above, police have warned.

While no group is yet to take responsibility, the Al-Shabaab militants have carried similar attacks using suicide car bombs across the country.

Mohamed Farmajo, Somalia's president said: “They don’t build schools, they don’t build health centers, they don’t feed the children...they are contracted on preventing progress”.

Mogadishu is heavily guarded by contingents from AMISOM and SNA forces, but the militants have often managed to unleash deadly attacks.

Security forces have been deployed to almost every section of Mogadishu as the government continues to put in place logistical measures to restore normalcy.

The Horn of Africa nation is preparing for 2020 polls, with international partners pushing for the winner-takes-all model, which has been rejected by a section of opposition leaders.

GAROWE ONLINE