MOGADISHU (SD) – At least five people have been killed more than six people and several other sustained injuries in two deadly bomb explosions in southern Somalia

In a press conference, Somali police spokesperson Sadiiq Aadan Cali said that a vehicle packed with explosives hit a convoy carrying Banaadir region police chief, Colonel Farhan Qarole, who survived the attack.

“We confirm that four people, including pedestrians, died in the attack and nine others injured. Al-Shabab militants’ intention was to kill the commander, but he survived,” Sadiq said.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked armed group fighting to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognised government, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group said they killed four police officers in the attack and injured five others. They claimed all of them were the police chief’s bodyguards.

Qarole was appointed last April after his predecessor Sadak John was fired over controversial order to bar a session of Somali lower house parliament.

Another school girl was killed after IED targeted SNA convoy in an area between Janaale and Marka towns in Lower Shabelle region.

The blast also wounded 14th October SNA brigade commander Abdirahman Mohamed Muunye.