Suicide Bombers Kill 17 In Somalia

Two suicide bombers have killed 17 people and injured at least 30 more in two separate blasts across the country. 

One of the bombings took place at government offices, while the other bomb went off at a market place. Somali officials have said that 17 people were killed in the blasts and that more than 30 other people have been injured and taken to hospital. 

According to the police, one of the bombers crashed a truck – laden with explosives – into a checkpoint in Galkayo town, after reaching the main gate of the Puntland area’s local government. 

The other blast took place at a market place. 

The al-Shabaab terrorist group, that is an affiliate of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, has since claimed responsibility for the two bombings. 

Omar Abdirashid, Somalia’s Prime Minister, has condemned the attacks and said that the two blasts were carried out by “evil-doers.” 

A nurse at a local hospital confirmed that they had received more than 15 civilians with severe wounds from the blasts.

“…Some of them [injured civilians] were burnt beyond recognition. It was a dark day,” he told reporters.

al-Shabaab has been trying to take over Somalia from the government in order to turn it into an Islamic State.