Suicide attack kills 2 in central Somalia

By Hassan Istiila

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least two people were killed and 15 injured on Sunday in a suspected suicide bombing at a busy restaurant in central Somalia.

“The attacker detonated his suicide belt in Beledweyne town [in Hiran region near the Ethiopian border],” said Omar Adan, the local governor.

The casualties include three journalists and several civilians, he added.

Mohammed Ali, a medical officer, said he had received 15 injured at the local hospital.

Al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group has been driven out of Somalia's major towns by a UN-mandated African Union force (Amisom) of some 18,000 soldiers, but still controls large parts of southern Somalia.

By Hassan Istiila

MOGADISHU, Somalia

At least two people were killed and 15 injured on Sunday in a suspected suicide bombing at a busy restaurant in central Somalia.

“The attacker detonated his suicide belt in Beledweyne town [in Hiran region near the Ethiopian border],” said Omar Adan, the local governor.

The casualties include three journalists and several civilians, he added.

Mohammed Ali, a medical officer, said he had received 15 injured at the local hospital.

Al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group has been driven out of Somalia's major towns by a UN-mandated African Union force (Amisom) of some 18,000 soldiers, but still controls large parts of southern Somalia.