26 July 2016•Update: 26 July 2016
MOGADISHU, Somalia
International organizations have voiced concern following Tuesday's twin suicide attack in Somalia at the African Union (AU) peacekeeping base, claiming the lives of at least 14 people.
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting the headquarters for the AU base.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the attack in a statement Tuesday. Ban ''reaffirms that such criminal acts will not diminish the strong resolve of the United Nations to continue supporting the people and Government of Somalia in their work to build peace and stability in the country'', the statement said.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the Somali people and [the African Union peacekeeping] personnel who were killed and injured in this barbarous attack,” the United States Mission to Somalia said in a statement on Tuesday.
The mission described the attack “as another demonstration of al-Shabaab’s brutality in its efforts to destabilize Somalia and deny people a peaceful, prosperous future they deserve.”
The mission said the al-Qaeda linked militant group would not succeed in destabilizing the country, located in the horn of Africa.
“The United States will continue [its] assistance to Somali security forces to help them defeat al-Shabaab, restore stability, and rebuild a peaceful and prosperous country,” the statement added.
The African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISIOM) condemned the attack, which it described as “senseless” and aiming to cripple the lives of Somalis.
“These attacks must be stopped,” the mission said.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating, also condemned the terrorist attack, describing it as "ruthless".
Keating said the horrific incident is a fresh example of the extremists’ desperate attempts to disrupt political progress.
Turkish Foreign Ministry voiced condemnation following the attacks, saying: "We condemn and curse this terrorist attack against an international mission that works devotedly to ensure security and stability in the country."
Turkey will "resolutely" continue to support Somalia's peace, stability and welfare, the statement added.
According to officials, two suicide bombers detonated two vehicles, laden with explosives, near the perimeter of the Mogadishu airport enclave.
Abdisamad Hassan, a Somali Member of Parliament and former security minister, told Anadolu Agency via telephone that at least 14 people were killed in the attack and up to nine others were injured.
Severe damage was caused to the entrance of the military camp, including nearby buildings.
The base houses some UN offices and foreign embassies.
*Felix Tih, Hassan Isilow, Diyar Guldogan and Canberk Yuksel contributed to this report.
