Islamist group kills 17 in twin blasts in Somali town

Source: Reuters

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia's al Shabaab Islamist group bombed a busy junction and a nearby restaurant on Sunday in the town of Baidoa, killing at least 17 people, a police officer and the group said.

Al Shabaab often carries out such suicide attacks in the capital and elsewhere in its bid to topple Somalia's Western- backed government. The group wants to impose its strict version of Islamic rule in the Horn of Africa nation.

"The restaurant and the junction were very busy and the death toll may rise," Police Major Bilow Nurr told Reuters from Baidoa, which lies about 245 km northwest of Mogadishu.

Police Colonel Abdi Osman said the death toll was 17, mostly civilians, with 25 others injured.

Read more: http://www.globalpost.com/article/6739412/2016/02/28/islamist-group-kills-least-eight-twin-blasts-somalia