Suicide bomber attacks Somali PM's office,Italy, AMISOM condemn Mogadishu attack

Somali minister say that the suicide bomber was a member of National Security NSS

6 feared dead after suicide bomber detonates explosives outside the Somalia PM's offices in Mogadishu.PM Abdi Farah Shirdon unharmed.

6 feared dead after suicide bomber detonates explosives outside Somali PM's offic. PM Abdi Farah Shirdon unharmed.

 suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Somali prime minister's office known as Villa Somalia on Tuesday, army officials said. Several others were injured in the attack in central Mogadishu, AFP quoted Somali military official Abdukadir Ali as saying. Separate reports said at least one soldier was killed and two wounded after the suicide bombing.

 

The Italian government and the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have separately condemned the Tuesday suicide attack targeting a compound near the presidential palace that killed at least two people and injuring dozen others.

At least one member of the Somali National Army died and two others were injured when they stopped a suicide bomber from accessing a compound next to the Ethiopian Embassy which is located near Villa Somalia.

In a statement from its ambassador to the Somalia, Andrea Mazzella, Italy strongly condemned the cowardly attack against Villa Somalia by unknown assailants.

“This episode reinforces our belief that the Authorities of the Somali Government are working in the right direction to fight against Al-Shabaab and to re-bring the country to the path of peace and economic development,” reads the statement in part.

Italy said in its statement that it is nowadays increasing its contacts with the Somali authorities with the aim of strengthening its bilateral cooperation in various areas, particularly in security sector, in order to guarantee the stability in the capital and in other critical areas of the country.

“We want to assure our deepest solidarity and closeness to the families of the victims of this shameful attack, and to all the people of Somalia, in this very critical and important turning point in the Somali history,” said the statement from the Italian ambassador to Somalia.

Italy appealed to Somalia forces to support the government’s efforts for peace, reconciliation and stabilization.

“We understand the despair of many Somalis living in poverty, without a job, without dignity, with nothing to eat for themselves and their children, and we would like to address them a warm appeal to continue fighting for a better future, without succumbing to the ideology of those who propose them, alternatively, to destroy their own life and the one of other Somalis,” it added.

In a similar statement, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia, Mohamat Annadif, condemned today’s terrorist attack in the Somali capital and praised the quick action of the Somali forces which prevented loss of civilian life.

“The heroic actions of the dead soldier and his compatriots have saved many Somali lives,” said Annadif, adding that the attack comes at a time when the city has been enjoying its longest period of relative peace in 20 years.

“AMISOM is committed to continuing to support the Somali National Security Forces and to build up their capacity to defend the people of Somalia,” he said.

Annadif offered his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the dead soldier and his prayers for the quick recovery of the injured.

He noted that security in the capital has markedly improved after AMISOM Police units begun night patrols alongside their Somali counterparts last month.