MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Bardhere town in Somalia’s Gedo region was rocked by a devastating double car bombing, resulting in the death of at least eight people and leaving over 20 injured, according to officials and medics.
The targeted attack specifically aimed at a training camp for clan militias, known as the ADC camp, with the intention to combat the al-Shabaab group.
The injured victims were transported to the hospital in Bardhere, but due to inadequate health services, medical professionals expressed concerns about providing sufficient care to the wounded.
Among those affected were civilians residing in nearby residential areas, Baardheere district officials said.
The twin bombings occurred in the early morning of Wednesday while the clan militias were actively participating in their training.
The ADC camp has faced similar attacks before, with Bardhere city administration officials noting that this marks the second bombing within a four-month period.
Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The strained relationship between the Marehan-dominated administration in Gedo and the Kismayo-based Jubbaland State, led by Ahmed Madobe, adds a complex layer to the situation. Two weeks prior to this incident, Madobe appointed a new administration for Gedo. However, authorities in Gedo have opposed Madobe’s officials, resulting in a stand-off.
Just two weeks ago, residents in Doolow, another town in Gedo, reported that two explosions targeted an Ethiopian military base outside the town. At least five Ethiopian soldiers were confirmed injured.
In a separate incident in Mogadishu, residents experienced a horrifying moment when a car bomb detonated on Shaqaalaha Avenue on Wednesday evening, leaving one person dead and two others injured.
The bomb was attached to a luxury car, and the casualties included both pedestrians and the vehicle’s driver.
These attacks are occurring amid a wave of violence perpetrated by al-Shabaab, as well as inter-clan conflicts across various regions of Somalia.
The escalating violence has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties and forced displacements.
The federal government, confined to Mogadishu, is grappling with internal opposition from multiple member states, exacerbating the crisis within the country.