Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility for Somalia Car Bomb Attack, Apologizes to Victims

Islamist militia group, Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the Saturday morning car bomb attack in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu that claimed the lives of more than 80 people.

The explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the “Ex-control Afgoye” checkpoint, a busy junction that links the south of Somalia to the capital. The checkpoint is one of the main road tax collection government posts in Mogadishu.

The blast happened during rush hour in Mogadishu at around 8 am with pictures from the scene showing multiple wrecked vehicles. Somali officials said at least 100 vehicles and rickshaws carrying commuters were in line at the checkpoint for routine security inspections when the explosion went off.

Several Somali police officers manning the checkpoint, two Turkish brothers working for a road construction company and over 30 school and university students who were traveling on public buses during morning rush hour were among those killed.

In an audio message, Al-Shabaab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage confirmed the group staged the deadly attack and apologized to the civilian victims of the attack, which he justified as necessary in the fight against the Somali state and its foreign backers.

"...the mujahideen carried (out) an attack... targeting a convoy of Turkish mercenaries and apostate militia who were escorting them," Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage said in the audio message.

"We are very sorry about the casualty that was inflicted on our Somali Muslim society, and we are extending our condolences to the Muslims who have lost their lives and or (were) wounded and or had their property destroyed."

He further accused Turkey of trying to control Somalia's resources. Turkey is one of the major donors and investors in Somalia, especially in humanitarian aid and reconstruction. 

"The Turks are our enemies and as we have said before, we will not stop fighting until they withdraw from our lands," he added.