UPDATE - Suicide bombing in central Somalia kills 10

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNING ATTACK

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – At least 10 people were killed and more than 15 others wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up in central Somalia on Saturday, a security official said.

The suicide bomber hit a busy restaurant in the town of Beledweyne, the provincial capital of the Hiran region, a security official told Anadolu Agency over the phone on condition of anonymity.

“The scene of the bomb blast was very chaotic, and human blood was everywhere. This was a huge explosion,” Abdirmahad Hussein, an eyewitness, told Anadolu Agency.

Security forces reached the area firing live bullets in the air trying to disperse people who flocked to the scene of the blast, according to another eyewitness.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab has claimed numerous recent attacks in the country.

Beledweyne is located 341 kilometers (211 miles) from the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The attack comes as the Horn of Africa country has been preparing to conclude parliamentary elections by Feb. 25.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and offered condolences to “the friendly and brotherly Government and people of Somalia.”

“We are saddened to receive the news that at least 10 people lost their lives and more than 15 were injured in the bomb blast which took place today (19 February) in Beledweyne, Somalia,” said a ministry statement.

“We strongly condemn the recently increasing heinous terrorist attacks intending to disrupt the election process in Somalia,” it added. “We extend our condolences to the friendly and brotherly Government and people of Somalia and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and speedy recovery to the injured.”

“Turkiye will continue to stand by Somalia in its fight against terrorism,” the statement said.