Security forces seize bomb-laden car in Mogadishu

An explosives-laden car was seized by the Somali security forces in the capital Mogadishu on Sunday night, barely two days after a suicide car bomb attack and gunfire killed 10 people in a restaurant frequently attended by young people.

The security forces seized the vehicle with explosive devices after security operation conducted in Mogadishu’s Hamarweyne district.

The official told the media that NISA officers managed to intercept the abandoned vehicle and also diffused the bomb fitted thereby preempting the would-be attack successfully.

“Security forces successfully foiled a planned suicide car bomb attack. NISA officers seized the vehicle filled with explosive devices ” said NISA

Apart from the bomb fixed to the car, it was loaded with full crates of empty soft drink bottles, a drum of ethanol, three sacks of bolts and nuts, pieces of metal and smashed windscreens.

“Fixed inside the car was a mobile phone which Al Shabaab usually use as a remote control … a barrel of ethanol and other explosive devices perhaps there was also a suicide bomber who got scared and went out of the car,” said security officer.

Al-Shabaab terrorists using IEDs fitted in vehicles have been targeting African Union Mission in Somalia, government bases and social gathering places, mainly hotels, in Mogadishu.

In less than a week, the group attacked three towns with explosions killing over fifty people and 120 other sustained injures.

Four Al-Shabaab fighters driving a car laden with with explosives on Thursday attacked Benadir Beach-view restaurant near Lido Beach in Mogadishu, a town the group lost its control five years ago to Somali forces and AU troops.

The fighters entered inside the restaurant which is frequently used by young people, government worker, those from abroad.

The group killed 7 people in a siege that lasted till late hours of Thursday. Somali security forces said they arrested one of the attackers who had sustained serious injures from the car explosion.

Al-Shabaab which vowed to disrupt the upcoming elections has stepped up its attacks. This week only the group four deadly attacks across Somalia.