Not less than four soldiers have been killed and several others injured on Wednesday in a roadside bomb blast targeting a military vehicle in southern Somalia,
A police officer from the Middle Shabelle region, Abdi Mohamed Hassan said the targeted vehicle was part of a military convoy traveling to Jowhar after clashes between regional security forces and armed militia erupted in the town, killing at least 10 people.
Former president of Hirshabelle state, Mohamed Abdi Ware, said the events in Jowhar today took him by surprise. Ali Madobe, a Hirshabelle presidential official, and Commander Dhisow Mohamed Qeelshe, a top security official were among those killed in the blast.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.