Dead and wounded in a suicide attack in central Somalia
At least ten people, including local political officials, were killed in a suicide bombing at a restaurant in Beledweyne, central Somalia, which was claimed by the terrorist "al-Shabab" movement, according to police and witnesses.
The attack took place despite the strict security measures that were imposed in Beledweyne on the eve of the first round of legislative elections in the district, some 340 km north of the capital Mogadishu.
Among the dead were two local officials, and 16 civilians were wounded, policeman Mahmoud Hassan told AFP by phone, adding that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber.
"It's the worst attack I've seen in this city," he said.
Al-Shabaab announced in a statement claiming the attack that "a young fighter entered the site... Among the dead were the assistant governor of the Hiran region, the assistant head of social affairs in the Baldwin region, and the assistant head of the intelligence services in Baldwin."
According to eyewitnesses, the massive explosion destroyed an outdoor area of the restaurant where people were sitting under trees for lunch and rest.
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