Restaurant explosion injures 7 people in Middle Shabelle

An explosion ripped through a restaurant in Burane village Middle Shabelle region on Saturday night, injuring at least 7 people including government soldiers.

A resident in Burane village, Osman Ali Mohamed said that 5 civilians and two soldiera were wounded in the explosion in restaurant frequented by Somali soldiers.

“A bomb planted inside the restaurant exploded while several people were inside. We can confirm that 5 civilians and were Somali soldier injured in the blast,” he said.

Muse Bihi, another local resident living nearby said that he heard huge blast at the restaurant.

“I was sitting close to the restaurant when the bomb exploded, after a few minutes I saw 6 people including Somali soldier brought with injuries” he said.

Witness Mahad Sheikh said a huge explosion was heard followed by a large plume of smoke rising from the area.

He said the area was cordoned off by Somali soldiers in village.

“I saw heavily armed Somali troops arriving on the scene to enhance the security after the incident. The situation now is stable,” said Sheikh.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Somalia’s  Al-Shabaab often carries out similar attacks in the country.

Burane village is located few kilometres  in the outskirt of Mahaday town in Middle Shabelle region.