Somalia: At least 14 killed in twin bomb attacks in Mogadishu

USPA News - At least fourteen people were killed in a twin suicide bomb attack in the Somali capital, local authorities said Thursday. The attack occurred at the popular Village Restaurant in Mogadishu, in front of the city`s National Theater and not far from the presidential palace, when the first suicide bomber detonated his explosive inside the location.

The blast was quickly followed by a second bomber who blew himself up outside. Journalists and police officers were among the fourteen dead. Several others were also reported injured. The United Nations (UN) condemned the attack through the Secretary-General`s Special Representative and head of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), Augustine P. Mahiga. "I strongly condemn this cowardly and senseless attack," Mahiga said. "These acts of terrorism cannot reverse the recent achievements that Somalia has witnessed ? such incidents can only reinforce the determination of the Somali people to reject violence and engage in peaceful resolution of conflict," he added. The responsibility of the attack was not immediately claimed, but terrorist attacks are usually blamed on the Somali militant group al-Shabab. Al-Shabab is the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts which took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Despite efforts from the Somali and Ethiopian governments, the group has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. Somalia has been without an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown 20 years ago. After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with a series of landmark steps over recent weeks helping bring an end to the nation`s eight-year political transition. These steps included the adoption of a provisional constitution, the establishment of a new parliament, and the selection of a new president.