At least 17 injured in suicide bomb attack in southern Somalia

At least 17 people, mostly civilians were on Tuesday evening injured in a suicide car bomb attack at a restaurant in Kismayo town, the administrative capital of Jubbaland State in southern Somalia, local authorities said.

Spokesperson of Jubbaland State Army Hassan Aden Mohamed confirmed the latest incident in the port city, saying the militants targeted civilians at a restaurant.

"The suicide bomber entered the restaurant, blew himself up leaving 17 people injured in the attack. We are in a rescue operation at the moment, the security forces are examining the situation," Mohamed said.

However, independent sources said that they saw two dead bodies at the scene, adding that death toll might increase any time.

The powerful blast ripped through the popular eatery frequented by local elders and regional security force members.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest bombing in southern Somalia where the African Union troops have increased their assault against the insurgents.

There have been joint operations carried out by Somalia and AU forces in the region recently with military gains.

But this attack comes two days after Somali National Army and U.S troops killed senior Al-Shabaab commander in lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia this week.

The allied troops liberated many parts of Lower Shabelle region five years ago, but the militants have later regrouped to mount increased attacks by recapturing some villages and rural routes in the region.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)