Two explosions hit Mogadishu's airport today, killing at least eight people including African Union peacekeepers in Somalia, residents said.
They said a suicide bomber rammed a car into an AU peacekeepers post outside the airport and that they heard a second explosion inside the compound shortly afterwards. Witnesses reported a gunbattle following the blasts.
"The car powerfully rammed an AMISOM troops post at the airport's gate," Mohammed Abdi, a local shopkeeper said, saying plumes of black smoke rose into the air. Police confirmed the attack.
Somalia's interim government yesterday warned that it expected a surge in rebel activity as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.
Uganda and Burundi have deployed about 7,000 soldiers to Mogadishu where they focus their manpower on shielding the president and guarding the seaport and airport from Islamist insurgents fighting to topple the government.
The AMISOM peacekeeping force was not immediately available for comment.
An insurgent group, al-Shabaab, said it would make a statement on the attack later.
Abdi Muse, an airport worker, said terrified airline passengers and airport employees fled the site as gunfire reverberated around the airport.
Eyewitnesses said AU troops had engaged gunmen outside the airport's gate.
More than 230 civilians have been killed in the latest bout of violence in Mogadishu, according to the United Nations refugee agency, which began on August 23rd when the al-Shabaab group vowed to intensify its jihad against the fragile government.
"We cannot discount the possibility of an Eid spectacular by al-Shabaab to end what has been a fruitless and desperate offensive," the Ministry of Information said yesterday.
Reuters