Beledweyne (KAAB TV) – A powerful explosion rocked Bundoweyn in Beledweyne early this morning, causing widespread panic among residents.
The blast, which was widely heard across the city, struck a local restaurant in the Isbartiibo area of Bundoweyn.
The restaurant is known to be frequented by government troops and members of the local Mawiisley militia, although no military personnel were reported to be present at the time of the explosion.
Preliminary reports from local sources confirm that three civilians lost their lives in the incident, including one woman.
Four other civilians were injured, some of them seriously. The victims are believed to have been customers or staff at the restaurant during the time of the explosion.
The exact cause and nature of the blast remain unclear. Authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing whether it was a suicide bombing, a planted device, or another type of attack.
There are strong suspicions that the explosion was a premeditated act, deliberately timed to avoid harming military personnel and instead target civilians.
While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, Al-Shabaab, the militant Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, has a well-documented history of carrying out similar attacks in Beledweyne and other towns in the Hiiran region.
The group often targets areas where government forces or local militias are known to gather, although it frequently results in civilian casualties.
As of now, the local security forces in Beledweyne have not issued any official response or update concerning the explosion, the victims, or the investigation into the incident.
The lack of immediate communication has raised concerns among residents, who are demanding accountability and greater security in public areas.
Beledweyne, a strategic town near the Ethiopian border, has seen a surge in violence in recent months, as Somali government forces, supported by local militias, continue to wage operations against Al-Shabaab in the region.
The group still maintains a deadly presence, often resorting to asymmetric tactics like improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and targeted bombings.
This latest explosion highlights the fragile security situation in the region and underscores the urgent need for improved intelligence and protective measures to safeguard civilians.