US vows to help Somalia prevent ‘callous terrorist acts’
People walk among the destruction at the scene of the weekend's double car bomb attack Mogadishu, Somalia. Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP
The United States has vowed to support the Federal Government of Somalia in the fight against what it termed as “callous terrorist acts” following deadly Saturday explosions in Mogadishu by Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
In a statement on Sunday, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan condemned the attacks as “tragic” and “heinous” for targeting “the Somali Ministry of Education and first responders.”
Sullivan reiterated Washington’s commitment to help Mogadishu in its fight against terror.
“The United States remains committed to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia in its fight to prevent such callous terrorist acts,” his statement read.
At least 100 people have been killed and 300 more were wounded when two cars ladened with explosives blew up minutes apart near Mogadishu’s busy Zobe junction targeting the Ministry of Education.
Zobe is the site of the October 14, 2017, truck bombing that killed over 1,000 people.
Sullivan also expressed his “deepest condolences to the Somali people and to all those who lost loved ones or were injured by these unconscionable attacks against innocent civilians.”
Al-Shabaab have been on the back foot in recent months following an offensive by government forces, supported by armed local militias, that has pushed the group out of key towns and villages.
