At least ten people were killed when a minibus carrying United Nations workers was bombed in Somalia. Four people from the global body’s children’s
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At least ten people were killed when a minibus carrying United Nations workers was bombed in Somalia.
Four people from the global body’s children’s fund UNICEF were among the dead.
Somali militant group al-Shabab said they are to blame for blast.
The attack happened when the workers were travelling from their guest house to the office in Garowe .. normally a three-minute drive.
7 people incl. 4 @UNICEF staffers killed in Al Shabaab IED attack on UN bus #Garowe, #Somalia v @AbdulBillowAli pic.twitter.com/Suu2UfXnqt
— reported.ly (@reportedly) April 20, 2015
“The horrific attack on our UNICEF colleagues today in northern Somalia is an assault not only on them but on the people they served,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, in a statement. “Our immediate thoughts are with the families of the four staff members who were killed and with those who were injured. All of us at UNICEF are deeply saddened, and deeply angered.
“Our colleagues dedicated their lives to working for the children of Somalia. They are not victims. They and those who were wounded are heroes. We mourn their loss and hope for the full recovery of the injured.
“Our continuing work for the most vulnerable children and their families in Somalia will be a fitting tribute to those we have lost.”
The Al Qaeda-linked group has staged a string of attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries in its bid to impose its brand of religion and overthrow a Western-backed Somali government.