Mogadishu, Somalia. Two nearly simultaneous explosions at two busy intersections in the city kill at least 100 people. President Sheikh Mohamud blames the militant group al-Shabab for the attack. The pro-jihadist website Somali Memo reports that the group claimed responsibility for the explosions. An al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Shabab has been engaged in a long-running conflict with the Somali federal government. President Mohamud, in power for five months, vowed “total war” against the Islamist militants after they attacked a popular Mogadishu hotel in August, killing at least 21 people. The explosions occurred within minutes of each other, destroying nearby buildings and vehicles. Al-Shabab has been battling the AU-backed federal government for control of Somalia for approximately 15 years. The group controls much of southern and central Somalia, but has also expanded its influence into areas controlled by the Mogadishu-based government. The African Union leads targeted attacks to reduce and contain al-Shabab.
