Saturday September 23, 2023
Beledweyne (HOL) - At least two people have been killed and others wounded after a car bomb targeted a taxation and security checkpoint in Beledweyne, the capital of the Hiiraan region, on Saturday, residents say.
The attacked security checkpoint is situated at the former beverages factory building known as Horseed. According to local residents, the explosion caused extensive damage to numerous nearby buildings.
While security officials refrained from commenting on the casualties, the responsibility for the attack was claimed by Al-Shabaab.
The attack comes as Beledweyne politicians prepare to launch a large-scale military operation against Al-Shabaab in the Hiiraan region. Hiiraan State President and former Hiiraan governor, Ali Jeyte Osman, traveled to Dhusamareb on Thursday to meet with President Hassan Sheikh and discuss matters pertaining to the military operations.
Stay tuned for more updates.