UN Envoy For Somalia Condemns Mogadishu Bomb Blasts

Mogadishu, 15 Jumadil Akhir 1438/14 March 2017 (MINA) – UN Special Envoy for Somalia Michael Keating strongly condemned Monday’s bomb blasts at two locations in Mogadishu that reportedly killed a number of civilians, IINA News rported.

“These latest attacks come at a time when solidarity, not violence, among Somalis is badly needed,” Keating said in a press statement carried by UN News.

“The country is grappling with a severe drought that has already claimed the lives of hundreds of people. The timing and suffering caused by today’s blasts are outrageous; this violent extremism cannot possibly be justified,” he added.

The UN envoy extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a full and speedy recovery to the injured.

According to the statement, the first blast occurred near the General Dhagabadan training facility of the Somali National Army, and initial accounts indicate that only the suicide bomber who was driving an explosives-laden minibus died in the explosion.

The second attack, for which al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility, was carried out at the gate of a hotel in Mogadishu by a bomber who was also driving an explosives-laden vehicle.(T/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)