Two Kenyans die in Somalia blast
A survivor is carried away on a gurney from the scene of a bomb attack on a UN van that killed 11 people, among them at least six United Nations workers, on April 20, 2015 in the northeastern town of Garowe. Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorists exploded a huge bomb in the staff bus, branding the UN a “colonisation force in Somalia”. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Puntland police suspect bomber was inside van at the time of blast.
- Attack by Al-Shabaab in Garowe Town in Puntland kills 11 people, a majority of them Unicef workers.
Two Kenyans were among 11 people killed in a bomb attack in Somalia’s northeastern town of Garowe on Monday.
The explosion occurred inside a van in which Al-Shabaab militants had planted a bomb, police said.
The ill-fated van was carrying Unicef workers in the capital of the semi-autonomous Puntland region.
“The nature of the blast, which ripped off the vehicle’s roof, leaving the rest of the bus intact, raises suspicion that the bomber was actually inside the vehicle,” said Puntland’s Nugal police boss Ahmed Abdullahi Samatar alias Layli.
The UN has condemned the Monday attack as local authorities launched investigations into the tragedy.
UN Special Envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay said he was shocked and horrified by the attack.
“The complete disregard for the lives of people working on the humanitarian and development needs of the people of Somalia is despicable.”
'INVASION MISSION'
Somali militant group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al-Shabaab spokesman for operations Sheikh Abdulaziz Abu Mus’ab made the claim through various outlets including al-Andalus, a broadcaster run by the jihadist group.
“We killed 11 foreigners who are on an invasion mission in Somalia,” said Mr Abu Mus’ab.
The militants do not recognise the UN as a multilateral world body and consider its staff in Somalia as invaders.
Mr Samatar said the attack took place at Garowe, about 1,000 kilometres northeast of Mogadishu and promised thorough investigations to determine events surrounding attack.
Puntland Vice-President Abdihakim Abdullahi Amey visited the scene of the attack.
He assembled a ministerial committee to lead investigations into the tragedy.
“Our UN colleagues are saddened but unified in the face of this tragedy,” Mr Kay said.
“The United Nations remains determined to stand by the people of Somalia,” he said.
Mr Kay heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (Unsom) that the Security Council established in June 2013.
Unsom provides policy advice for state building in Somalia, including the Puntland region.
The mission also advises Amisom, the African Union’s military operation in Somalia.
Reported by Kevin J. Kelley in New York and Abdulkadir Khalif in Mogadishu.
