Al-Shabaab claims responsibility over Daallo airline bomb attack

The militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the Daallo airliner bomb attack last week which killed one person and forced the aircraft to make a reversed emergency landing in Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport.

Al Jazeera News Network has said it acquired a document alleging Al-Shabaab’s involvement in the attack which is now being investigated by Somali authorities and US FBI detectives.

“The armed group said the attack on the Daallo Airlines flight was part of an operation targeting dozens of Western intelligence officials and Turkish NATO forces,” read the statement in part.

The announcement, if proven could confirm fears of infiltration of terrorist elements into the airport facility putting into question the safety regulations and procedures.

Sources close to the investigations told the media Friday the explosive device built into a laptop computer that detonated last week on a Somali passenger jet was “sophisticated” and got past X-ray machines at the Mogadishu airport.

A military grade of the explosive TNT caused the explosion on the Somali airliner, two other sources with knowledge of the investigation told the US broadcaster CNN.

About 40 people have been arrested following the attack and security beefed up at the airport. Sniffer dogs could be seen sniffing luggage as passengers prepare to check in at the facility.

It is unusual for Al-Shabaab to take time before claiming responsibility for any attacks.