Explosion in a Somali market kills at least 20 people, African Union says

Explosion in Somali market kills 20 people

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Two bombs exploded inside a mosque in Mogadishu’s main market on Saturday, witnesses said, and an African Union spokesman said the attack killed at least 20 people.

The blasts in the Bakara market went off while people were sitting inside the Abdala Shideye mosque waiting for noon prayers to begin. Most of the victims were worshippers, said businessman Ahmed Abdulle, a witness.

“The first one occurred at the back of the mosque and the other one at the front. I saw the dead bodies of at least 11 people and 18 injured,” said another businessman, Isma’il Dahir. “The blood stained the walls and human flesh was scattered everywhere.”

Maj. Barigye Bahoku, a spokesman for the African Union, which has soldiers stationed in Mogadishu, said the blast killed at least 20 people.

A high-ranking member of Somalia’s most powerful militia, al-Shabab, was said to be inside the mosque during the explosions. It was not immediately known whether Fuad Mohamed Qalaf survived the bombings.

Qalaf is among 11 people whose assets were recently frozen by the United State for involvement in terrorism.

“Sheikh Fuad used to teach religious lessons at the mosque every Saturday. He was there when the blasts went off. The whole area was cordoned of by scores of al-Shabab militants. Nobody could get inside,” said another businessman, Farhan Alin.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, the first such bombing of a mosque in Somalia.

Bakara market is the country’s main market, and despite tensions in the country, it is bustling with business. The area is controlled by the rebel groups al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam.

The U.N.-backed Somali government views the market as rebel stronghold. Over the last three years the market has seen near-daily shelling between militants and African Union and Somali soldiers. Hundreds of peple have been killed in the violence.

Islamic insurgents control much of Mogadishu and have been trying to topple the fragile government for three years. Somalia has not had an effective government for nearly 20 years.