Somalia: Bomb blast injures five

Source: Africa News

1. Posted on Thursday 19 November 2009 - 12:00
   Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Somalia Photo: Guled Hussein

   A bomb explosion in North Galka'yo town of semi-autonomous town of Puntland in northeastern Somalia wounded five people on Wednesday night, causing unrest in a relatively calm neighborhood.

   

   A Puntland police officer was among the wounded, a local journalist who pleaded anonymity told AfricaNews on Thursday. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.
   
   Residents said a hand bomb had targeted the checkpoint of Puntland security forces near the centre of Mudug province in north-central Somalia on Wednesday night.
   
   The Police chief of Mudug, Muse Ahmed, told the local media that they are investigating the event. Ahmed served notice that the police was poised to fight its enemies.
   
   AfricaNews reporter said over the last weeks, the relatively calm Mudug province and its neighboring Puntland region have become the scene of deadly attacks and bombings. The fresh wave of insecurity has drawn the public's ire in both regions.
   
   Hundreds of angry citizens of Puntland have staged protests demanding a return to stability.
   
   The region which is home to one-third of Somalia's population was declared semi-autonomous in 1998.