Somali civilians bore the brunt of violence in the war-torn nation Tuesday, with a roadside bomb killing 10 in the capital and fighter jet strikes in the south claiming three lives. A roadside bomb exploded in a crowded area in the south of Mogadishu, where Islamist Shebab insurgents have launched repeated guerrilla attacks since pulling out of fixed positions three months ago.
"There was a heavy explosion in Wadajir this afternoon, it was a roadside bomb and we are hearing that more than ten people were killed in the explosion," said Abid Omar, a Somali police officer. "We are still investigating who was the target, but all of the casualties are civilians," he said, adding that several people were also wounded. Witnesses said children were killed in the violent blast, which took place on the busy Jayga road in the war-torn city.