A car bomb exploded in Mogadishu yesterday near a meeting involving two Kenyan ministers after Shebab rebels promised Nairobi all-out retaliation for its unprecedented military operation inside Somalia.
Two days after declaring war on Somalia’s Islamist insurgency, which it blames for a string of kidnappings, Kenya’s forces advanced on a strategic rebel-held town deep inside southern Somalia.
The shock move by Nairobi, which was conducted without any mandate and left the region mum, drew a fierce reaction from the Al Qaeda-inspired Shebab, who threatened Kenya with reprisals on “all fronts.”
A suspected car bomb exploded in Mogadishu near the foreign ministry where Kenya’s Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula were meeting officials from the Western-backed Somali transitional government.
“There was heavy explosion near the foreign affairs ministry building and initial reports are indicating a car laden with explosives detonated. We are still investigating the incident,” Mohamed Adan, a Somali official said.
No official confirmation of the death toll was immediately available but reports suggested the attack claimed at least two victims and was carried out by a suicide bomber.
“There was a huge blast near K5 and everybody starting running. I saw two dead bodies and seven others who were injured,” Said Yusuf, a witness said.
It was unclear how long Kenyan troops planned to stay in Somalia but Nairobi had been under growing pressure to take action and attempt to restore confidence that it could safely host tourists and one of the world’s largest aid communities.
Kenya and Somalia’s defence ministers signed an agreement to “cooperate in undertaking security and military operations” including “coordinated pre-emptive action,” but limiting Kenyan operations to Somalia’s Lower Juba region.
Critics say Kenya promised increased security measures after the first kidnapping, that of British tourist Judith Tebbutt last month, but failed to prevent a second abduction of French woman Marie Dedieu in the Lamu archipelago three weeks later.
A third incident, the kidnapping of two Spanish aid workers in Dadaab, long a security worry for Kenya because of chronic overcrowding, happened last Thursday, apparently prompting the incursion over the border.
“Our forces will be concentrating on operations in Afmadow region today,” said Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir.
Kenyan troops have pushed at least 120 kilometres into Somalia to reach Afmadow region, guided by pro-government Somali forces, backed by heavy aerial bombardments but bogged down on mud tracks in heavy rain.