UN calls for probe into blasts in Somalia

The United Nations on Thursday called for investigations into the suicide attacks in the central Somalia town of Beledweyne Wednesday night which have so far left at least 30 people dead.

The UN also condemned the attacks which killed an outspoken parliamentarian Amina Mohamed and offered its condolences to the families and relatives of those killed.“The suicide attacks killed parliamentarian Amina Mohamed and others in Beledweyne on Wednesday,  it said in a  statement.

“The UN welcomes an investigation into the heinous act and calls for Somalia’s electoral process to be concluded peacefully and safely.

”The move came as the death toll from the suicide attacks in Beledweyne town where the ongoing elections of the House of the People, the Lower House of the Parliament, were taking place, rose to 30.Isak Ali Abdulle, Hiraan Regional Police Commander said the death toll could increase after several people are still hospitalised with serious wounds.

Abdulle said a suicide bomber wearing explosive vests wrapped around his waist detonated explosives in front of the heavily secured Lamagalaay base.He said the second blast took place at a security checkpoint, targeting vehicles for rushing the injured to the hospitals but no casualties were reported.

Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they targeted government officials including electoral delegates in Beledweyne town taking part in the elections. 

(Xinhua)