Suicide bomber blows up in checkpoint targeting military convoy in Afgooye

A suicide bomber blew himself up at a checkpoint in Afgooye, some 30 kilometres south west of Mogadishu Tuesday afternoon as a convoy of Somali forces passed by, sources said.

The bomber is reported to have detonated the explosive targeting the convoy which was passing by the checkpoint near Hotel Isamail in Afgooye heading to their base in Bali-doogle.

Witnesses said there were heavy explosions and gunfire at the scene causing panic in the area. There was no immediate official information regarding casualties but the militant group Al-Shabaab which claimed responsibility alleged it killed 12 soldiers.

A reinforcement from nearby bases have arrived at the scene.

Al-Shabaab militants have been known to target army convoys by planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the road.