Somalia: Deadly blast in Mogadishu kills hundreds

As reported by The Guardian on 16 October 2017, the truck bomb that exploded in Mogadishu on 14 October was "one of the most lethal terrorist acts anywhere in the world for many years." A truck packed with several hundred kilograms of explosives was detonated close to hotels, shops, restaurants and government offices and resulted in the death of more than 300 people and injured hundreds more. Yonas Dembele, persecution analyst at the World Watch Research, states: "This is just atrocious. First of all, this attack shows that the government and African Union troops have not made enough progress in terms of security even in the capital city, contrary to their claims. Secondly, it is a key reminder that militant groups like al-Shabaab are potent enough to launch major attacks anywhere inside Somalia (or in a neighboring country, for that matter)." Yonas Dembele adds: "Since Christians in the region have often been primary targets for al-Shabaab attacks, it is important that they follow developments in Somalia and take maximum care both in Somalia and in neighboring countries, especially Kenya."