ZCZC
BFF-22
HUGE-BLAST-SOMALIA
Huge blast targets military base in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Aug. 8 (BSS/Xinhua) – A huge explosion targeting a military base rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu early Saturday, police and witnesses said.
The witnesses said that the explosion was heard near Bar-Ayaan junction in Wardhigley district of Mogadishu after a suicide bomber reportedly drove a vehicle laden with explosives into a military base.
Government forces have in recent days intensified operations in the southern regions against al-Shabab extremists, who have been hiding in rural areas and conducting ambushes and planting landmines. An operation on Thursday killed six al-Shabab militants in the southern region of Lower Juba.
BSS/Xinhua/MSY/1446 hrs