Shebab claims bomb attack on Somalia plane

Somali government officials with help of worldwide experts launched investigations on the real cause of the explosion and accused the militant group to be behind the attack.

The al-Shabaab terrorist group on Saturday claimed responsibility for the bombing of a passenger jet earlier this month in Somalia.

But the incident has raised serious questions about the airport security – both in Mogadishu and around the world – with Turkish Airlines temporarily cancelling flights to the Somalian capital.

The bomb exploded shorty after the plane took off from Mogadishu, blowing a hole in the fuselage of the Airbus A321 and sucking out the suspected bomber.

The man had initially meant to board a Turkish Airlines flight but the Turkish plane did not turn up and Daallo Airlines agreed to fly the passengers onwards to Djibouti.

In a statement issued Saturday, the group said it carried out the operation “as a retribution for the crimes committed by the coalition of Western crusaders and their intelligence agencies against Muslims of Somalia.” .

At least 15 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Authorities say the explosion only killed the alleged bomber.

The only casualty was the bomber, who was sucked out of the hole in the side of the plane. The Turkish government is a key ally of Somalia and is helping with efforts to rebuild the war-torn country.