Somalia: More than 20 people were killed in a mid-noon truck bombing carried out by Al-Shabaab, a group notorious for causing havoc in the country. The attack in Beledweyne, central Somalia, marked one of the deadliest incidents in recent months, and the death toll is expected to rise. The explosion occurred near a busy checkpoint, causing extensive damage to nearby residential areas. Although the exact target of the attack is still unknown, witnesses reported the presence of numerous bodies at the scene. Beledweyne, located 350 kilometers north of Mogadishu, has been a focal point in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The group, which typically targets government officials, security forces, and innocent civilians, has recently faced defeats due to ongoing military operations in the region. In light of these attacks, Somalia has requested a temporary pause on the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to ensure adequate security measures are in place.
