Thread by @HarunMaruf

BREAKING: Explosion reported at Mogadishu Mayor’s office, casualties reported. More to follow.

BREAKING: Mayor of Mogadishu Abdirahman Omar Osman injured in explosion in his office, he is being evacuated to a hospital, officials. Early reports indicate an explosion occurred inside the HQs of Mogadishu.

BREAKING: Suspected suicide bombing at Mogadishu Mayor’s office. Several Mogadishu administration officials killed, Mayor of the city Abdirahman Omar Osman seriously injured - officials

BREAKING: Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman “under operation” in hospital after being seriously injured in a suspected suicide explosion in his office, number of his associates killed - officials.

Mayor Osman met the newly appointed U.N. envoy James Swan in his office earlier today. The explosion occurred after Mr Swan left the Mayor’s office. Officials say a security meeting was underway when the explosion occurred. (Picture taken of the meeting b/w the Mayor and SRSG)

BREAKING: Al-Shabaab militants claim responsibility of Mogadishu explosions, claim they intended to target newly-appointed United Nations envoy James Swan who met the Mayor of Mogadishu earlier today. Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman’s situation has been described as “serious”.

BREAKING: Mogadishu police confirms six people were killed in explosion at Mogadishu Mayor’s office (I confirmed 7 deaths). District commissioners for Waberi, Shangani and Abdiaziz killed. Also killed are three directors and legal adviser to the Mayor.

So far we confirmed - through officials - that seven Mogadishu administration officials were killed in the attack. Here is the link to the story and their names voasomali.com/a/5013700.html

A security warning shared b/w security agencies in Mogadishu in the past few days “specifically referred” to possible suicide bombing in Govt offices including the Mayor’s office, sources. Officials haven’t yet confirmed if today’s attack was suicide or bomb planted in the office

BREAKING: Early assessment by security branches indicates a female suicide bomber was behind today’s explosion at Mogadishu Mayor’s office. The woman was “assisting” special needs coordinator at Mayor’s office, a blind female worker, who was also killed in the explosion, sources,

The special needs coordinator was a position created by the Mayor of Mogadishu @engyarisow last year. The Mayor even took to social media to highlight challenges facing people with special needs. The Mayor also hosted a luncheon and gave goody bags to people with disabilities.

The Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu Mohamed Abdullahi Tulah confirms in a phonecall interview with VOA Somali that a female suicide bomber was behind the explosion at Mayor’s office, but says he believes she must have had support or facilitation from inside.

July 24, 2019 is (at least) the 4th time Al-Shabaab used female suicide bombers:
June 10, 2011, female bomber killed interior minister Abdishakur Hassan
April 4, 2012, female bomber killed 10 at National Theatre
Feb. 20, 2015, car bomb + female bomber killed 26 at Central Hotel.

An air Ambulance has arrived at Aden Abdulle International Airport to airlift injured Mayor of Mogadishu Abdirahman Omar Osman and 10 others to Qatar, Govt sources.

Qatar military air ambulance takes off from Aden Abdulle International Airport carrying 12 badly wounded victims following Mogadishu explosions, among them the Mayor of Mogadishu @engyarisow. #Somalia