Two Explosions Killed Dozens of Security Personnel in Somalia

Dozens of Somali security forces and other pro-government militias were killed on Wednesday, in a double attack claimed by the Al-Shabaab movement linked to Al-Qaeda, and carried out with two booby-trapped cars in the town of Mahas, central Somalia.

The double attack was carried out in the town of Mahas, located in Hiran Governorate, about 300 km from the capital, Mogadishu, in response, apparently, to a massive attack launched by the Somali army, with the help of clans, against the "Al-Shabaab" movement months ago.

Osman Nour, the Maha's police chief, said that Al-Shabaab targeted civilians after it suffered heavy defeats in fighting with army forces.

Reuters news agency quoted a police official as saying that the death toll was 35.

The French press agency AFP also quoted Abdul Karim Hassan, a notable of Mahas, as saying that “about 20 people were killed in the two explosions.”

For his part, Mahmoud Suleiman, one of the notables of the area, said that 52 people were injured. Security officials and local leaders confirmed that two military bases were targeted in Mahas.