A sudden explosion of unexploded ordnance in southern Somalia left at least 27 people dead and 53 injured. According to the media of this country, at least 25 of the dead are children between 10 and 15 years old.
Explosion in Somalia with 27 dead and 53 wounded; Most of the victims are children
10 Jun 2023 - 14:30
A sudden explosion of unexploded ordnance in southern Somalia left at least 27 people dead and 53 injured. According to the media of this country, at least 25 of the dead are children between 10 and 15 years old.
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Somali media reported on the evening of Friday, June 9, that the explosion occurred 120 kilometers south of Mogadishu, the capital of Sudan, and 27 people were killed as a result.
"Abdi Ahmed Ali", the deputy in charge of the said region, said in a press conference last night about this explosion: "A tragedy occurred near Qorioli and innocent children lost their lives as a result of a mortar explosion."
However, the Somali official did not say who was responsible for the ammunition or when it was placed there.
"Young children died there after one of them hit a bomb near their playground," a resident of the area told AFP by phone.
This area has always witnessed the conflict between Somali forces supported by the African Union force and elements of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, who have been at war with the central government since 2007.
On May 26, al-Shabaab elements killed at least 54 soldiers in an attack on an African Union base where Ugandan troops were stationed in Polo Marer, about 30 kilometers from Ghoriuli.
It is said that as a result of the operations of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia, several explosive devices have been left in different parts of the country.
Al-Shabaab jihadist group was established in Somalia in 2004. After being pushed out of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia in 2011, this terrorist group stopped confronting the country's military and instead increased suicide attacks and explosions in public places.
The total number of al-Shabaab militants is estimated to be around 10,000.
Story Code: 271498