At least 8 killed in Somali twin blasts

Mogadishu . (NMG) At least eight people have been killed in two huge blasts at the gates of Halane, the main base of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) in Mogadishu.

The first blast, reportedly from a lorry packed with explosive materials, struck the Madina Gate, the main entrance to the base.

A second bang followed shortly, which targeted a security post close to the base.

The terminal

According to media reports, the attacks were quickly claimed by the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab.

Reports also indicate that the impact of the blasts were felt at the terminal of Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport.

The victims of the blasts are assumed to include Somali government security officials and the Amisom peacekeepers.

Speeding lorry

In the past, Al-Shabaab orchestrated blasts targeting hotels in the city and government buildings were followed by jihadist fighters assaulting the target areas with gun fire and grenades.

Local residents reported hearing gunshot sounds before the blasts, presumably fired by security personnel trying to stop the speeding lorry.