Iran Press/ Africa: Authorities said the Islamist group al Shabaab carried out the attack, which they said had targeted the education ministry, an intersection, and a school.
"At 2:00 p.m. al-Shabaab terrorists carried out two explosions targeting civilians, including children, women, and the elderly," police spokesman Sadiq Doodishe said.
One hospital worker counted at least 30 bodies amid fears of possibly many more.
The attack in Mogadishu occurred on a day when the president, prime minister, and other senior officials were meeting to discuss expanded efforts to combat violent extremism, especially by the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab group that often targets the capital. It also came five years after another massive blast in the exact same location killed over 500 people.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Al-Shabab rarely claims attacks with large numbers of civilians killed, as in the 2017 blast. But President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud blamed al-Shabab by name, calling the attack "cruel and cowardly."
211
Read more:
Somali president declares war against Al Shabaab
Al Qaeda-linked militants' attack kills 12 in Mogadishu hotel, hostages held
