Somalia blasts condemned

Bahrain condemned the twin terrorist bombings that took place near the Presidential Palace area in Somalia, resulting in the death and injury of a number of people, including security personnel. The Foreign Ministry extended its deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.

It affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Somalia and firm rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, calling for international concerted efforts to end terrorism and its funding. The death toll from a double car bomb attack yesterday in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has risen to 15, a security official said.

Twenty others were injured, according to the official, Ibrahim Jama. The blasts occurred in central Mogadishu, near the National Theatre, the presidential palace and the Daljirka Dahson monument. Plumes of smoke rose over the streets, and a heavy police presence was reported in the area. Al Shabaab, a militant group linked to al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement posted on affiliated websites. A suicide bomber drove a car filled with explosives to the gate of the presidential palace and killed presidential guards, the statement said.