Deadly explosions hit popular hotel in Somalia

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—At least ten people have been killed and 15 others injured in twine bomb explosions in Baidoa town, some 250km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu.

The first explosion went off a suicide bomber blew himself up at Badar restaurant in Baidoa town in southwestern Somalia, killing ten people, a witness said.

He says the 2^nd blast was heard after unknown gunmen hurled grenade bombs into Bilan hotel in the town, causing untold number of casualty.

Heavy bursts of gun shots could be heard through the town, he said.

The victims are being carried by ambulances, after arriving at scene of the explosions.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s explosions.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab extremist group often carries out deadly bombings in high-profile areas of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, and elsewhere.

The Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which battled for control of the capital from 2006 onwards, banned forms of public entertainment like movies and musical ringtones in areas under their sway.

Somalia has been mired in turmoil since warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, leaving militants, militia groups and clan leaders all fighting for control of parts of the anarchic country.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com