Car bomb kills 78 persons in Somalia (Update)

 A truck bomb exploded at a busy security checkpoint in Somalia’s capital Saturday morning, killing at least 78 people including many students, authorities said. It was the worst attack in Mogadishu in more than two years, and witnesses said the force of the blast reminded them of the devastating 2017 bombing that killed hundreds.

At least 125 people were wounded, Aamin Ambulance service director Abdiqadir Abdulrahman told The Associated Press.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. The al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab often carries out such attacks.

The extremist group was pushed out of Mogadishu several years ago but continues to target high-profile areas such as checkpoints and hotels in the seaside city.

The attack again raises concern about the readiness of Somali forces to take over responsibility for the Horn of Africa country’s security in the coming months from an African Union force.

Via France 24 / Al Jazeera / AP