Somali soldiers pass near the burning wreckage of a car bomb in Mogadishu Somalia, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. A Somali police officer says a car bomb struck the entrance of a restaurant in the Somali capital Saturday, killing two people. Capt. Mohamed Hussein said that the blast occurred as Blue Sky restaurant which is close to the presidential palace was packed with diners. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
Republished October 01, 2016 - 7:25 AM
Original Publication Date October 01, 2016 - 5:35 AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A Somali police officer says a car bomb blew up at the entrance of a restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing two people.
Capt. Mohamed Hussein said the blast Saturday occurred at the Blue Sky restaurant close to the presidential palace.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing but the Islamic extremist group of al-Shabab often carries out such attacks.
Al-Shabab, al-Qaida's East African affiliate, is fighting to impose a strict version of Islam in this Horn of Africa nation. Despite losing a lot of ground in recent years, the extremist group continues to carry out lethal attacks in many parts of the country, especially in the capital. Recent attacks have focused on the capital's hotel industry, which is remerging from decades of conflict.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016