NAIROBI — At least 15 people, including a female member of the Somali federal parliament, were killed in two suicide bombings in Beledweyne town in central Somalia.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has termed the killing of Amina Mohamed Abdi “an assassination”.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has tweeted a message of condolence:

Other victims included former MP Hassan Dhuhul and Somali soldiers.

Local media reports suggest the death toll could be higher.

The Somali National TV has tweeted pictures of the victims killed in the attack.

The suicide bombings in Beledweyne occurred hours after Al-Qaeda allied militants killed at least eight people, including five foreign nationals, in an assault on the Halane Camp, a fortified airport complex that houses UN offices and foreign missions.

Al-Shabab has said it was behind the attacks in Mogadishu and central Beledweyne.

The militants intensified attacks across Somalia as the Horn of Africa nation conducts much-delayed elections.

President Farmaajo and Prime Minister Hussein Roble have sent condolences to the family and all Somali people on the shocking death of MP Amina Mohamed who was killed in suicide bombing attack on Wednesday evening.

President Farmaajo described the attack as a cowardly one by the Al-Shabaab militant group which he said bears the hallmarks of the terror outfit's main focus of killing innocent civilians, government officials and elected leaders.

The President prayed to Allah to grant her Paradise and give her bereaved family the fortitude to bear the tragic death.

Somalia Information Minister Osman Dubbe also conveyed his condolences to the family and the entire Somali people on the shocking death of MP Amina Abdi.

Abdi was killed when a suicide bomber detonated himself Infront of the Presidential residence moments after the evening prayer.

Abdi had been fierce critic of President Farmajo and has recently been championing for the right of the missing spy agent Ikran Tahlil Farah who was kidnapped right in front of the National Intelligence Headquarters on 26th June 2021.

She was in Beledweyne seeking re-election in the ongoing Lower House elections in the town.

Abdi recently cried foul over attempts by some influential people to bar her from contesting and lock the seat for another candidate. — Agencies