DOLLOW (KAAB TV) – Double suicide bombings rattled outside Ethiopian military base in Dollow town in Somalia’s Gedo region, according to local authorities.
The extremist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks, escalating security concerns in the region.
District officials in Dollow confirmed that the first explosion occurred when a Toyota pickup truck loaded with explosives targeted the base of Ethiopian forces stationed in the town. Shortly after, a suspected suicide bomber initiated a second bombing. Both attacks were reportedly repulsed by the Ethiopian army.
The Ethiopian forces deployed in Dollow have been stationed there for an extended period, comprising troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as well as non-ATMIS soldiers.
As of now, the exact number of casualties resulting from the bombings remains unknown.
Eyewitnesses reported witnessing terrified citizens fleeing for shelter as sporadic gunfire heard near the military base known as Kabaas. Photos captured civilians residing in a nearby displacement camp seeking safety amidst the chaos.
Residents in Dollow attest that the town remains on edge, with tension permeating the atmosphere.
In a claim of responsibility, al-Shabaab announced that their militants executed the dual bombings, specifically targeting the Ethiopian army base in Dollow.
Located on the Somalia-Ethiopian border, Dollow is a key base of the Gedo regional administration hosting government officials and multiple humanitarian agencies.
These explosions occurred against the backdrop of recent developments in the Gedo region, where the President of the Jubbaland administration, Ahmed Madobe, appointed new members to the administration on Tuesday night. However, the Gedo regional authorities rejected the appointments, asserting that Madobe’s Jubbaland administration lacks authority over Gedo.