Hiiraan Online
Sunday, August 23, 2015
MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- Death toll from a suicide attack on a military base in southern Somalia's port city of Kismayo early Saturday has risen to 16 and more than 30 others injured, officials said.
Somali military commander Muse Ali also said the suspected bomber was a Somali army officer who joined the military from Al-Shabaab.
"We can confirm the death toll stands at 16 after terrorists attacked on military base, but the situation is now calm," Ali told Xinhua by telephone.
"The suicide bomber was one of Al-Shabaab fighters before he abandoned the group to join the Somali army one year ago," he added.
Witnesses said that Somali forces and African Union troops arrived at scene and closed all roads to the military site which was attacked by the insurgents. "Heavily armed troops closed roads near the place, preventing residents from approaching the place," Kismayo resident Ahmed Yalahow told Xinhua.
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) said three of its trainers were injured in the attack by Al-Shabaab at the Somali National Army training school in Kismayu.
AMISOM said two suspects who were arrested are currently being interrogated by Somalia National Security officials.
The mission said two terrorists who were in the vehicle with the explosives were also killed during the attack at the army training school located at the old airport in Kismayu.
It is not yet clear how the terrorists gained access into the military facility.