At least eight people, including government sodliers were wounded when an improvised explosive device planted at a public market in a Southern Somalia town went off Saturday afternoon, witnesses said.
According to local traders, a blast occurred at Afgoye’s vegetable market at around 1 p.m. during peak trading hours.
Security forces launched investigations after the attack and arrested at least two suspects, according to the mayor of Afgoye.
Though no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the region is a hotbed of al-Shabaab activity. The al-Qaeda-linked terror group has carried out a string of such assaults in the area that have civilians and government officials.
Afgoye, which is 30km (18 miles) north-west of Mogadishu, was a major stronghold of the al-Shabab militants until 2012 when government and African Union forces took over. It lies on a strategic crossroads for routes to the north, west and south of Somalia.
HM
