Somalia: 2 attacks in Mogadishu and Galkayo, killed Islamic cleric who played music in ceremonies
Somalia was hit by two violent attacks Monday, one killing an Islamic cleric and 17 of his followers for playing music and a second killing at least six people in a car bomb blast in the capital, Mogadishu, police said.
The car bomb was detonated Monday at a busy junction in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district, said Capt. Mohamed Hussein. He said 15 people were injured and the blast appears to have been aimed at soldiers who were gathered at the junction.
In the northern city of Galkayo, a prominent Islamic leader and at least 17 of his followers were killed by extremists for having music in their religious ceremonies, say police.
Two suicide bombers exploded in front of the preacher’s residence, which is also a Sufi shrine, and then four gunmen stormed the building and opened fire, said Ahmed Awale, a police officer in Galkayo. At least 20 others were injured, he said.