Fatalities reported in dual bombings in Somalia

On Friday, August 11, 2023, tragic incidents occurred in Somalia, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries. According to witnesses, two separate explosions took place, claiming the lives of at least eight people and leaving six others wounded.

The first explosion took place in the town of Jalalaqsi, located in the Hiran region. A suicide bomber, wearing an explosive vest, detonated it in a public area, causing the deaths of five individuals and injuring four others. The responsibility for these attacks has been claimed by the al-Shabab military group.

VOA Somali received confirmation of these casualties from two sources in Jalalaqsi, including a medical worker and a resident. The resident explained that the bomber entered a tea shop but was approached by the security guards of District Commissioner Nur Mohamed Absuge, who was present in the vicinity.

As the security guards confronted the bomber, he activated the explosive, resulting in the deaths of two guards and three civilians. The deputy district commissioner of Jalalaqsi, Abdisalam Hassan Abukar, confirmed this account and stated that the intended target was the district commissioner himself. One of the commissioner’s bodyguards attempted to neutralize the attacker, but ultimately lost his life in the process.

Jalalaqsi, situated around 200 kilometers north of Mogadishu, became the site of this tragic incident.

In a separate incident, three soldiers lost their lives due to a roadside explosion in the Yaqshid district of northern Mogadishu. Along with the soldiers, two innocent bystanders were also injured in this incident, as reported by an unidentified security official.

These attacks occurred just a day after another roadside explosion claimed the lives of six individuals and wounded twelve others in the Lower Shabelle region.

Hussein Hassan Dhaqane contributed to this report.