Somalia Report says a Car Bomb blew around KM4 in Mogadishu

According to the website Somalia Report:

At least four people were killed and ten others were injured in two separate blasts that rocked in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Tuesday afternoon.

In what appears to be a forced suicide car bomber, the perpetrators detonated a four door sedan in the strategic road that links Mogadishu's main airport and KM4 junction, which is regularly used by Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union (AMISOM) vehicles.

Locals said the man driving the car was a well known businessman, Arafat, who sold cars to the government and was not aligned with al-Shabaab. Independent sources said he was likely forced to drive the car wired with remote controlled explosives, which was then detonated by al-Shabaab sources nearby.

"The explosion was huge and those who carried out that explosion attached the explosive to the car. They then they used a remote control the explosion from another area where they monitored their operation,"' Saleoh Omar, a TFG official confirmed to Somalia Report.

Locals said the explosion was quick and likely premature.

“The car came out of a garage near the road and exploded immediately. We do not know the target. No government vehicles or AMISIOM were in the area. Only the driver was killed and a person passing by,” Mohamed Sa’id, an eyewitness, told Somalia Report.

Colonel Khalif Ahmed Ereg, a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) security intelligence chief for Banadir region who reached the scene, confirmed a car bomb was to blame, but suspected it was an intentional suicide bomber.

“We do not know the motive behind this barbaric attack, it seems that the intention was to damage TFG and AMISOM but it prematurely detonated. We can thank God for that. We are investigating the incident," said Colonel Khalif.

Grenade Attack in Bakara Market

Meanwhile, at least two people were killed and ten were injured, mainly civilians, when a grenade was thrown into a busy intersection of Mogadishu's largest market, Bakara. 

“The attack has happened as people were busy with their jobs. I saw many wounded people and then after the blast TFG forces opened fire into four directions so we were all scared,” Ali Ahmed, a conductor of public transport, told Somalia Report.

These attacks come as al-Shabaab fighters vowed they will increase their attacks on the capital as a warning to the traditional elders who are set to approve the new constitutional draft.

This also comes as a suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant in Galgadud, killing several prominent Somali lawmakers today.

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for today's attacks, officials blame the al-Shabaab militant group battling for control of Somalia which is known for conducting suicide attacks.

Somalia Report is investigating the incident and will post an update shortly.

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