The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating condemned in the strongest possible terms yesterday's suicide car bombing of the Banadir Regional Administration headquarters in Mogadishu.  Seven people were killed, including five civilians, and another 11 civilians were injured. A spokesman for al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, according to news reports.

 “The terrorists of al-Shabaab have displayed once again their wanton disregard for the safety and security of Somali civilians in yesterday’s incident,” said SRSG Keating. “The attack occurred during the lunch hour when large numbers of bystanders would have been present in the vicinity of the local government headquarters.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims.”

The attack occurred only two days after another car bomb exploded near a popular restaurant in central Mogadishu during daytime hours, killing three people and wounding five more.

“These callous attacks underscore how little value al-Shabaab attaches to the lives of ordinary Somalis” said the SRSG. “The international community will continue to provide its unflinching support to the fight against terrorism".