At Least 100 Somalians Killed After Two Car Bombs Explode in Mogadishu (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – At least 100 people have been killed and 300 injured in two car bombs that exploded outside the education ministry in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, the country's president said in a statement.
The fatalities are likely to rise, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told media after visiting the bombing site early Sunday, Xinhua reported.
Several government offices, hotels and restaurants are situated near the bombing site.
An unspecified number of people, including journalists and police officers were among the casualties, Sadiq Dudishe, spokesperson of the Somali Police Force, said earlier.
The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab terrorist group, which often targets the capital and controls large parts of the country, claimed responsibility.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, while condemning the attack, said such an action by al-Shabaab won't stop the government's commitment to eradicating terrorism in any form.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia in a statement called for sustained military operations against the insurgents, so as to suppress surging terror attacks in the country.
Extending its condolences to the families of the victims, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia tweeted it "wishes a speedy recovery for those injured, and stands resolutely with all Somalis against terrorism."
The blasts came as the Somali president and leaders of the federal member states, including security officials, were meeting to discuss ongoing offensive operations against al-Shabaab.