Suicide Blasts at Mogadishu Airport Kills Eight
Sep 9, 2010
Story Highlights
5 civilians, one police officer, and two AMISOM soldiers were killed
The attack was coordinated between gunmen and suicide bombers
Two suicide car bombers targeted Mogadishu's airport killing at least 8 people including two African Union peacekeepers according to witnesses and African Union officials.
The first bomb was placed in a car carrying people who posed as passengers and infiltrated the airport while a second bomber rammed the gate.
"I have seen 5 civilians and one police officer dead on the ground after the blast." Burhan Ali, the deputy director of Mogadishu airport, told The Tiziano Project.
"Pieces of human were strewn over the whole scene, It was shocking," he added.
Witnesses reported that gunmen emerged from behind a car that crossed behind the gate and started firing at peacekeepers as the second bomber blew himself up.
"Two AMISOM Soldiers died and 3 others were wounded during this attack." Major Barigye Ba-hoku, the spokesman for AU peacekeepers in Mogadishu, told The Tiziano Project.
"Two suicide bombers, dressed in government combat uniforms, ran from the vehicles firing small arms. Both managed to run through the gates under fire from AMISOM soldiers. Both were brought to a halt within 200 meters of the terminal building where they detonated their IED vests," he added.
Somalia's extremist insurgent group Al-Shabaab has claimed the responsibility for the attack.
"Our skilled commandos have carried out those attacks successfully." Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, Al-Shabaab's spokesman, told reporters after the blasts.
"We have targeted an anti Mujahideen meeting by the so-called African Union and other Christians," he added.
It was the first suicide attack on the airport since one last September that killed 9 people including Major General Juvenal Niyonguruza, deputy commander of the AU peacekeeping force.
Somalia has been without government since 1991 after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted from power by clan militias who later warred with each other.
Tags:
African Union, Al-Shabaab, amisom, AU, bombers, IED, Juvenal Niyonguruza, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, suicide
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