Beledweyne (SOMALI MAGAZINE) In a landmine explosion on Monday on the outskirts of the Mataban district in the Hiiraan region, at least three soldiers were killed and numerous others, including two journalists, were injured.
While performing security operations in the Qabno districts of the Mataban district, the landmine targeted a convoy carrying the governor of the Hiiraan region and army officials. According to a HOL reporter in Beledweyne, the explosive hit the vehicle transporting reporters and military.
Among those hurt in the explosion were Abdikarin Shabelle, a journalist for Hirshabelle TV, and Khalid Mohamud Osman (Ilkase), the director of the Hirshabelle administration radio station in the Hiraan region. The injured were flown to Mogadishu for medical attention after being transported to Guri El in the Galgadud region.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but al Shabaab typically stages such attacks against military targets. The federal and Hirshabelle regional state security forces have been conducting operations in many locations near Beledweyne town over the last few days.