Reuters, MOGADISHU
Police spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan says the driver ignored Saturday morning's stop orders, and the police opened fire as passers-by were running for their lives. Police say a suicide bomber died and seven civilians were injured when a vehicle detonated outside the presidential palace in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, near a checkpoint. Police spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan says the driver ignored Saturday morning's stop orders, and the police opened fire as passers-by were running for their lives. He says that in the explosion, more than a dozen vehicles were lost.
Debris remains at the blast site from a suicide car bombing attack at the side of Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on February 1, 2021.(Representational Image / AFP)
As Somali leaders disagree over how to stage a national election, this new bombing happened. The vote had been scheduled for Feb. 8, and some say that his mandate has been overstayed by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. He's seeking a four-year second term. More talks are scheduled for Monday on the election crisis.
The Somalia-based al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group also targets high-profile Mogadishu areas. It threatened to assault the polls.
Additional Info - Suicide bomber detonates near Somalia's presidential palace
