IS kills five in first suicide attack in Somalia

Mogadishu, Wednesday

The Islamic State group has claimed its first suicide attack in Somalia that left five dead as it steps up activities in a region dominated by al Shabaab.

The group’s self-styled news agency Amaq claimed the “martyrdom-seeking operation with an explosive vest” in a statement carried by the SITE Intelligence Group which noted it was the first suicide bombing by the militants in Somalia.

The suicide bomber detonated his explosives vest at a checkpoint in the northeastern port city of Bosaso late Tuesday, situated in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.

“Security forces stopped the suspect when he approached but he detonated himself leaving five people dead. One of the security officers and four civilians were killed in the blast,” said local police official Mohamed Dahir Adan.

The blast occurred near a hotel often used as a meeting place for local officials, witnesses said. “I think the bomber was trying to target the hotel but was stopped at the checkpoint close to the hotel and he decided to detonate,” said witness Awke Mohamed. -AFP

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