Suicide bomber kills more than 10 at tea shop in Somalia

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - A suicide bomber on Saturday targeted a tea shop in Beledwyene town in Central Somalia, leaving at least ten people dead and scores injured, in yet another attack that comes at the time the country is struggling to conclude Lower House elections.

Police said the attackers targeted a tea shop in Beledweyne, the administrative capital of the Hiraan region, which is set to host Lower House elections in the coming days. The attack left at least 15 people seriously injured.

Witnesses said the attacker walked to the tea shop before blowing himself as dozens of people scampered for safety. Saturdays are working days in Somalia, a country whose most residents are Muslims.

A witness video making rounds on social media show dead and wounded being evacuated from the scene of the suicide bombing in Beledweyne. Reports indicate almost all the victims are civilians including at least one civilian official.

State media reported that deputy district commissioner for social affairs Abdirahman Kenyan is among the victims killed in the suicide bombing. Also, reports say a regional lawmaker has reportedly been hurt in the attack.

So far, no group has taken responsibility for the attack but Al-Shabaab militants are known for such incidents. The group controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but efforts by security forces have seen its grip dwindle significantly.

On Wednesday, Al-Shabaab waged multiple attacks within Mogadishu, leaving at least five people dead. The group usually targets security forces, senior government officials, and innocent civilians, who mostly bear the brunt of these cowardly attacks.

The United Nations Security Council was briefly this week about the general security situation in Somalia and Ambassador Fransisco Madeira, the African Union representative to Somalia said the international community should chip in and help the country secure citizens.

GAROWE ONLINE