Al Shabaab kills 21 people in two separate attacks in central Somalia

Oct. 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The terrorist group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for two attacks that have cost the lives of at least 21 people in two cities in the state of Hirshabelle, in the heart of Somalia.

A powerful car bomb has exploded at a checkpoint in the city of Jalalaqsi when a group of soldiers opened fire on it after the driver did not respond to orders to stop.

The checkpoint was near local government buildings and a military base where Djiboutian peacekeepers are deployed, which the African Union has there, BBC Africa reports.

The explosion has caused the death of at least fifteen people, including the mayor of the city, and the district chief, Mohamed Omar Dabashe, as well as several wounded, including soldiers and civilians.

On the other hand, six other people, including four civilians, have died as a result of another explosion caused by a vehicle bomb, in this case a motorcycle, which crashed into the main bridge in the city of Bulobarde, which connects the regions central and southern Somalia.

Bulobarde authorities have reported that one of the two men on the motorcycle jumped off the motorcycle before it collided, while the other blew himself up with it. The one who managed to escape from the explosion was finally shot down later by the security forces, VOA Somalia account.

Shortly after these explosions Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for them. The cities of Bulobarde and Jalalaqsi, in the Hiran region of Hirshabelle state, have been two of the strongholds from which new offensives have been launched against this terrorist group.