A suicide car bomb explosion in Somalia yesterday evening has seen more than 20 people killed, and 30 others injured. The blast took place at the Luul Yemeni restaurant in Mogadishu, which was reportedly full due to it having been dinner time.

Africa News reports that an official, Mohamed Osma, said, “The explosion was very strong and caused significant destruction and caused civilian casualties.” At least one building near the restaurant collapsed after the blast, prompting fears that people could be trapped under rubble.

While no group has claimed responsibility as yet, Al Shabaab is suspected to have been behind the incident. Believed to have been driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 by government forces together with about 20 000 African Union peacekeepers, the group nevertheless reportedly controls large areas outside the cities.

Umm Muhammed Umar