At least eight people were killed today when two huge bombs went off near Mogadishu’s airport, including one close to the UN’s political office in the Somali capital, a security source said.

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Two explosions kill 8 near Mogadishu airport: security source

July 26, 2016 - 09:00

At least eight people were killed today when two huge bombs went off near Mogadishu's airport, including one close to the UN's political office in the Somali capital, a security source said.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) headquarters located within the high-security compound of Mogadishu airport. — AFP/VNA Photo
Viet Nam News

MOGADISHU  At least eight people were killed today when two huge bombs went off near Mogadishu’s airport, including one close to the UN’s political office in the Somali capital, a security source said.

An AFP journalist at the scene heard gunfire after the explosions tore through the area, one of which was believed to be a car bomb.

Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab has carried out a string of similar attacks.

At least 12 people were killed in February as twin blasts and gunfire rocked a hotel and neighbouring park in Mogadishu early this year, in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants.

The city’s airport is heavily fortified and adjoins the capital’s main base for the African Union mission to Somalia, the 22,000-strong force backing the government in the battle against Shabaab insurgents.

The jihadists were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 but remain a serious threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya, where they carry out frequent attacks. — AFP

 

 

 

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