At least five people were killed and more than 20 others injured in a bomb blast on Sunday, May 24, 2020, during Eid al Fitr celebrations in Baidoa town, Southwest of Somalia. Similarly, Ismael Mukhtar Omar, the spokesperson for the Somali government, confirmed the incident to Xinhua, saying the explosion occurred where people were holding Eid al-Fitr celebrations. As a nation, Somalia observed Eid al Fitr on Saturday but festivities continued for three days according to Islamic traditions. For several years, the Islamist militant group al-Shabab an affiliate of al-Qaeda has vast control over the region in Somalia, including Baidoa. Nevertheless, authorities in Somalia need to heighten their efforts so as to eliminate any possible terrorist threat in the Horn of Africa country.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 25, 2020 16:07 UTC