Somalia: 22 killed in explosions claimed by Al-Shabaab

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured when suicide explosions hit popular eateries in Baidoa town, some 250km southwest of Somali capital Mogadishu

The blasts took place late on Saturday after suicide bombers blew themselves up at busy restaurant and hotel in the town, leaving 22 people dead, a policeman said.

Hussein Mohamed said 35 other people had been injured, some seriously.

The attack was claimed by Al Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab through its website.

The group says it has killed 20 people, mostly soldiers.

The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which controlled Baidoa between 2009 and 2012 before being driven out by Ethiopian-backed government forces, still holds parts of southern and central Somalia.

The blasts came a day before Somalia marks the first anniversary of the deadliest attack in its history, a truck bombing that killed more than 500 people in Mogadishu.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com