Suicide bomber detonates outside the presidential palace in Somalia

Reuters, MOGADISHU

Police spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan says the driver ignored Saturday morning's stop orders, and the police opened fire as passers-by were running for their lives. Police say a suicide bomber died and seven civilians were injured when a vehicle detonated outside the presidential palace in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, near a checkpoint. Police spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan says the driver ignored Saturday morning's stop orders, and the police opened fire as passers-by were running for their lives. He says that in the explosion, more than a dozen vehicles were lost.

Debris remains at the blast site from a suicide car bombing attack at the side of Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, on February 1, 2021.(Representational Image / AFP)

As Somali leaders disagree over how to stage a national election, this new bombing happened. The vote had been scheduled for Feb. 8, and some say that his mandate has been overstayed by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. He's seeking a four-year second term. More talks are scheduled for Monday on the election crisis.

The Somalia-based al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group also targets high-profile Mogadishu areas. It threatened to assault the polls.

Additional Info - Suicide bomber detonates near Somalia's presidential palace