At least 10 killed and 35 others wounded following two bomb explosions targeted a Khat market in Af Urur, about 100KM (60 miles) south of Bosasso in Somalia’s northeastern region of Puntland on Friday.
Local officials said at first an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) planted near a Khat kiosk went off in midday on Friday as many soldiers and civilians were there to buy the stimulant leafy green, resulting number of deaths and injuries. A second blast, which some residents suspect was a mortar shelling, targeted rescuers trying to help those affected by the first explosion.
“It was in the midday and most of the people were waiting to buy the Khat to enjoy, suddenly an explosion happened, and soon after some minutes a second blast happened. There was a blood everywhere. Most of the victims are the soldiers but there are civilians also.” Abdikani Dahiye, a resident in Af Urur said.