13 killed and several wounded in suicide bombing in Somalia
February 19, 2022, 4:12 pm

13 killed and several wounded in suicide bombing in Somalia

Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia. (File photo AP)

The Arab News reported, citing Reuters, state television in Somalia said, at least 13 people were killed in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Saturday.

The report said that a suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant that witnesses said was packed with local officials and politicians.

According to a report by SITE intelligence, which monitors the Al-Shabab militants groups online, the militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The hard-line group, which frequently attacks government targets and civilians, has unleashed two attacks in the past two weeks.

A further 18 people were injured in the Beledweyne attack, the Somali National Television said on Twitter.

One witness in Beledweyne said he helped to evacuate the injured after the mid-morning attack.

Aden Farah, a local elder, told Reuters: “I counted seven dead, including soldiers and civilians, and over ten injured.”

Al-Shabab militants attack police stations and security check points in Somalia's capital Mogadishu (file photo: Facebook page)

Police and government officials confirmed the restaurant attack was the result of a suicide bomb but did not give the number of casualties.

Residents said that one of those killed in the attack in Beledweyne was a candidate in an ongoing parliamentary election.

Al-Shabab militants attack police stations and security check points in Mogadishu

The parliamentary elections began on Nov. 1 and were initially supposed to end on Dec. 24, but are currently due to be completed on Feb. 25.

Under Somalia’s indirect electoral process, delegates, who include clan elders, pick members of the lower house, who will then choose a new president at a date yet to be fixed.

Weapons supplied by Iran to Houthi allies in Yemen smuggled into Somalia for Al Shabab insurgents

The recent attacks by Al-Shabab could present more problems for the election, which has been delayed by a year.
Al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab aims to topple the central government and impose its own severe interpretation of Islamic law.

Source: arabnews

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics in Ukraine Ethiopia to start generating electricity from its controversial dam on Nile

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”