Car Bomb Attack in Somalia Leaves 6 Dead

Authorities in Somalia said on Monday at least six people had been killed after a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

Residents in Mogadishu said they saw huge clouds of smoke following a loud blast and gunfire. There was no immediate claim of responsibility about who is behind the attack.

A police Capt, Mohamed Hussein said the blast damaged the compound of the Hodan district’s headquarters in Mogadishu.

Mohamed said another 16 were wounded while most victims were district workers and soldiers.

It was the second such attack on a district headquarters in the capital this month. The Howlwadag district headquarters was targeted on Sept. 2 with at least six people killed, including two children.

The al Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group claimed responsibility for both attacks.

The Somalia-based group often targets the capital with bombings, including a truck bombing in October that left at least 512 people dead.

Mogadishu residents have been dismayed by the car bombings that occur despite multiple checkpoints and hundreds of soldiers inspecting vehicles entering the city.

The government has blocked most back streets as part of a new security strategy aimed at preventing attacks.

Somali troops are meant to take over the Horn of Africa nation’s security in the coming years from an African Union force but concerns about their readiness remain high.

Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab frequently carries out bombings and gun attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.