Somalia car bomb explosion kills 8

At least eight people were killed and nine injured after a bomb exploded at the International Airport in the Somali capital. This was confirmed by a Mogadishu security official; place where the events occurred.

The attack was caused by the jihadist group Al-Shabaab, which said in a short statement that its objective was to destroy "foreign officials."

The attack came just days after Somali leaders agreed on a new timetable for the delayed elections.

Medina hospital doctor and founder of Aamin ambulance service, Abdulkadir Adan, wrote on his Twitter account that he was very saddened by the loss of life and injuries in Mogadishu.

In addition, he published a photograph, where the scene of a vehicle that was destroyed after the attack can be seen.

After what happened, it was not clear how many people died or who the target was. However, Mohamed Abdi, the local government security officer, mentioned the following.

"Initial information we have indicates that at least eight people were killed and another 9 injured in the big car bomb explosion".

He also added that the number of victims is probably higher; taking into account the number of people who were present at the scene.

Al-Shabab, a figure linked to al-Qaida, a group that controls parts of Somalia, constantly carries out bomb attacks in key locations in the capital. So it turns out to be the main suspect in the attack.

Likewise, several witnesses affirmed that a private security convoy escorting foreigners was just passing through the area when the explosion occurred.

"I was able to see some passengers injured and taken to hospitals after the explosion," said Osman Hassan, a witness to the events.

Another witness, Hassan Nur, commented: "The explosion was so great that it destroyed most of the buildings near the road and the vehicles passing through the area." "I saw some dead and injured people lying on the road."

The al-Qaida group's main objective is to overthrow the central government of Somalia and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

For this reason it carries out constant attacks against government and security targets, using weapons and bombs, but also against civilians and against African Union peacekeepers.