On Wednesday, Islamist suicide bombers detonated their explosives in the regional capital of Beledweyne in central Somalia, killing at least ten people, including one member of parliament.
Terrorists forced their way into Mogadishu’s airport the same day, killing eight people, according to Somali officials.
According to a police spokesperson, Hassan Dhi’isow, Amina Mohamed, who was in Beledweyne to defend her seat in the upcoming elections, was among those killed by the suicide bombers, along with other politicians and security forces.
The Islamist terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which injured fifteen people. Al-Shabaab militants dressed in military uniforms had previously gained access to the airport in Mogadishu, the country’s capital.
The airport is in a heavily fortified area that also houses embassies and government offices.
According to Mohamed Dahir, a police officer, the attackers began shooting indiscriminately at one of the site’s entrances.
Then they detonated explosives, killing themselves and others in the process. Two of the victims were assailants. Five of the remaining six were foreigners.
Both attacks were claimed by Al-Shabaab via the Andalus radio station. Somalia is currently on edge due to upcoming elections, which have been postponed several times.
The country, which has a population of around 16 million people and is located on the Horn of Africa, has been plagued by violence from al-Shabaab for years.
The terrorist group, which controls large swaths of land in the south and central regions, attacks security forces and civilians on a regular basis.