Somali military has claimed to have killed more than one hundred Al-Shabaab fighters in Middle Shabelle region barely hours after double car bombings hit in Mogadishu.
In a statement, the military said the security forces in collaboration with local militias engaged deadly clashes with al-Shabaab fighters in Masajid Ali Gadud village of Middle Shabelle region.
“The forces killed over 100 terrorists during the operation. The takeover marked a big blow to militants due to its strategic location and extortion hub,” the statement reads in part.
The claims by Somali army comes hours after explosions caused by two vehicles laden with explosives rocked Mogadishu, with first one exploding near the gate of Somali education ministry headquarters.
Minutes later, a second one targeted the responders, killing dozens of people including police officers and a local journalist.
According Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, explosions killed 100 and wounded more than 100 others.
Mohamud vowed that his government will intensify the war on Al-Shabaab, saying the attack will not discourage efforts by the government and its people.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group said that the building of the Ministry of Education was the target.
“The so-called ministry of education also plays a major role in the recruitment of Somali students, thousands of whom are joining the forces of the Somali army,” the group said.
The bombings took place near Zobe Junction where a truck bombing exploded on 14 October 2017, killing at over 500 people and injuring more than one thousand others.
