Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 17, 2009

Suicide Bombers Strike AU Peacekeeper Base in Somalia
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=26AA759:A6F02AD83191E160116B3135CA7FEAE53CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
 
Spokesman for al-Shabab terrorist group claims suicide attack was in
retaliation for killing of wanted senior al-Qaida operative in region 
A Somali woman is rushed into a local hospital after several mortar
rounds killed several people in Mogadishu, 17 Sep 2009Two suicide
bombings have rocked the headquarters of the African Union
peacekeeping force in Somalia. An
Islamist militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Two
vehicles entered and then exploded in the African Union peacekeeping
force compound, sending a heavy trail of black smoke into the skyline
of the capital city. A spokesman for the African Union Mission
in Somalia (AMISOM) told VOA that although he could confirm there were
casualties, he could not yet provide an exact count. Initial information
seems to indicate the number of deaths will be in the double digits. An
eyewitness at the Mogadishu airport, which is situated next to the
AMISOM base, says the two cars entered the compound and then exploded
near the petrol station located in the base. The two cars reportedly
carried the United Nations insignia on their sides. The
eyewitness says the two vehicles first attempted to enter through the
airport, but were refused access by security guards. He said the cars
then drove over to the AMISOM entry way. A security officer
has reported that vehicles were allowed inside because the guard at the
AMISOM gate assumed they were with the United Nations. Heavy fighting
and mortar exchanges have since erupted in Mogadishu, in the Bakara
market area. A
spokesman for the al-Shabab terrorist group claimed the suicide attack
was in retaliation for the killing of a wanted senior al-Qaida
operative in the region. Kenyan Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who
was hiding with the Islamic militant group in southern Somalia, was
killed Monday in a U.S.-led military operation. The al-Qaida
linked Kenyan was wanted by the United States for his alleged role in
the bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in a popular tourist destination
of the coast of Mombasa. He is also believed to have been involved in a
botched attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter jet leaving the
Mombasa airport the same day. Meanwhile, the terrorist group
released a set of demands for the release of a French hostage who was
acting as a security advisor to the Mogadishu government. The terms
include demands that all AMISOM forces be pulled out of Somalia.


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