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Africa Horn
Bomb kills 8 Somali soldiers in Mogadishu
2012-08-10
MOGADISHU: At least eight Somali government troops were killed when a remote-controlled bomb hit their vehicle in Mogadishu, officials said on Thursday, highlighting lingering security risks less than two weeks before the UN-backed governmentÂ’s mandate ends.

SomaliaÂ’s Islamist Al-Shabab group claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday evening.

Residents said the military vehicle had been destroyed by a roadside bomb in the Huriwaa district of northern Mogadishu.

“A bomb killed eight soldiers and completely destroyed their pickup. Only two, including the driver, survived with injuries,” Mohamed Abdikadir, a senior police officer, told Reuters.

Although Somali troops and peacekeepers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) drove Al-Shabab fighters from most of Mogadishu in August 2011, the latest bombing shows the militants can still stage deadly attacks in the capital.

Al Shabab has threatened more attacks as SomaliaÂ’s three top government officials and a dozen other politicians campaign for the presidency. Last week the government foiled two would-be suicide bombers who targeted a conference hall where delegates approved a draft constitution.

On Tuesday, UgandaÂ’s military, which provides the bulk of peacekeeping force, said it had deployed an air force contingent to reinforce the troops in their fight against Al-Shabab.
Posted by:Steve White

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