Former DC killed as explosion rips through vehicle

A huge blast rocked Sana’a Crossroad in North Mogadishu Saturday morning, killing a former district commissioner.

Reports indicated that the explosives had been loaded into a car that caught fire and was reduced to a skeleton after the attack.

Smoke billowing from the scene of the blast could be seen in many parts of the city.

Residents confirmed that Ali Alah, the former district commissioner of Mahaday about 110 kilometres north of Mogadishu, died in the blast.

Mahaday is currently controlled by Al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group opposing the Somali government.

The driver of the vehicle escaped unhurt after sensing danger.

Sana’a Crossroad is an important public transport terminal and stopover as well as a business centre.

“It is believed that the car exploded soon after the driver stopped it,” a resident contacted by Sunday Nation said.

Mr Mohydin Hassan Jurus, the district commissioner of nearby Yakshid District, as well as the district commissioner of Karaan District, Mr Ali Alasso Hassan, confirmed the incident.

“One person died,” said Mr Jurus while Mr Hassan stated that further investigations would be conducted.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Al-Shabaab is suspected.

On Friday, Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Mus’ab, the al-Shabaab spokesman, said the organisation had staged more than 100 attacks during the holy month of Ramadhan.

Two legislators escaped death on July 24 when their car exploded in Hamarweyne district in downtown Mogadishu.

It is believed the explosive devices had been attached to the MPs’ car. A similar tactic may have been used in Saturday’s blast.

Police launched investigations into the attack yesterday as it emerged that some of the people who were injured were in critical conditions.