22 killed in truck bomb attack on Somali capital market

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - At least 22 people, including government soldiers were killed and over 20 others wounded when a truck bomb blast ripped through a busy market in Somali capital of Mogadishu on Sunday, officials said.

The attack targeted Kawo-godey market in Wadajir district, according to Abdullahi Ahmed, the district's commissioner.

"It was a busy hour in Mogadishu, when the truck exploded," said Ahmed, adding that the death toll could rise further as many people were critically wounded in the attack.

Police Capt. Adan Haji told Anadolu Agency a security operation was launched following the blast which resulted in the arrest of four al-Shabaab suspects.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Somali rebel group of al-Shabaab has recently been blamed for terrorist attacks in Mogadishu.

Sunday’s attack is the first major attack in the country since Somali parliament elected Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo as Somali's next four-year term president in February.