Suicide Bomb in Mogadishu targeting UN Convey; Al Shabab claims responsibility

Reports from Waberi district in Benadir region confirm that a heavy explosion took place in today.

The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a car packed with explosives, killing at least two people and wounding several others.

The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a convoy of UN staff.

Photographs taken at the scene of the blast show the magnitude of the impact of the blast, which resulted in severe damage to vehicles as well as damage to buildings.

Preliminary reports say the blast killed at least five soldiers and civilians.

There was no immediate word from Somali security officials on the incident, and government forces are still at the scene.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the blast, saying it targeted UN officials and inflicted heavy casualties, the group said in a statement.

The blast comes as tensions mount in Mogadishu over a dispute between the outgoing president and prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, which has affected the army, its officials and security.

“The mujahideen launched a surprise attack on a convoy of foreign officers and one of their vehicles destroyed and others were injured,” Al Shabaab said in a statement.

However, the UN has denied that its staff or contractors were targeted.

A statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said: “Unlike some preliminary reports, there were no UN staff or contractors accompanying the convoy that was targeted in the suicide bombing earlier today in Mogadishu.”