The death toll to Friday’s twin VBIED bombing and gunfight near the Presidential palace and Somalia spy agency headquarters NISA has risen to at least 45 according to medical sources.
Somalia Interior Minister Mohamed Abukar Islow Dualle praised the security agents for repulsing the Alshabaab militants in the Friday.
“There was another vehicle they wanted to target from the side of the Sayyid. The security forces whom we praise a lot have repulsed them. The vehicle exploded after the security officers fired at them,†said Mr. Dualle.
The Minister said that those killed in the first explosion near the NISA headquarters were civilians.
“They targeted Doorbin Hotel with a vehicle. It was Friday and many youths who came from Liido beach were passing there at the time of the explosion. Also, there were women who run small businesses there,†he said.
Mr. Islow reiterated that they will continue with their work of defending the country and added that the government will make sure all injured are treated.
“We are saying that we are not giving up. Our efforts and hard work and those of our security forces will never go slow until there will be no more explosion in Somalia,†said the Minister.
“With the will of God, we will stand for those injured. Those that can’t be handled here will be taken to abroad. And we pray for the quick recovery of all injured,†added Mr. Dualle.
Among the dead is a Corporal in the Presidential Guard identified as Bishaar.
On Thursday the Minister had issued a security alert based on an intelligence report that two explosive-laden vehicles were within the capital city.
The Alqaeda linked Alshabaab has claimed responsibility for the Friday night attack.
