15 Killed in Suicide Bombings in Somalia

Most fatalities are students, local traders

8:09 AM CDT Aug 21, 2016

MOGADISHU, Somalia (CNN) —At least 15 people died when two suicide car bombs struck a government building in Somalia on Sunday, authorities said.

Most of the fatalities are students and local traders who were at a nearby school and market, police said.

After the explosions in the town of Galkayo, attackers stormed the building and exchanged gunfire with security forces, local police Capt. Abdi Hassan said.

The terror group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a government compound housing administrative offices, police said.

Northern Galkayo is under the control of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northeast Somalia.

Troubling trend

The attack follows a similar pattern of bombings in the country also claimed by Al-Shabaab.

In late July, six people died after double suicide car bombs exploded in Mogadishu.

Just days prior, suicide bombers detonated two vehicles laden with explosives near the capital's Aden Adde International Airport, killing at least 12.

In June, the group also claimed separate attacks on two hotels popular with Somali politicians, which left more than two dozen people dead.