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Al-Shabab 'happy' at Cup blasts Somali rebels claim Uganda blasts
(about 1 hour later)
The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has said it is "very happy" about the twin blasts which hit the Ugandan capital Kampala on Sunday, killing 74 people. The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has said it was behind twin blasts which hit the Ugandan capital Kampala on Sunday, killing 74 people.
But the al-Qaeda-linked group refused to confirm or deny suspicions it was behind the explosions, which police said targeted World Cup fans. A spokesman for the group, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, threatened more attacks in a statement in Mogadishu.
Police said the bombings targeted football fans watching the World Cup final.
A Ugandan official said a Somali's head was found at the scene of one blast, and he may have been a suicide bomber.A Ugandan official said a Somali's head was found at the scene of one blast, and he may have been a suicide bomber.
Ugandan peacekeepers are in Somalia, and al-Shabab has threatened Kampala.Ugandan peacekeepers are in Somalia, and al-Shabab has threatened Kampala.
"Al-Shabab was behind the two bomb blasts in Uganda," Ali Mohamud Rage said.
"We thank the mujahideens that carried out the attack. We are sending a message to Uganda and Burundi, if they do not take out their Amisom (African Union Mission in Somalia) troops from Somalia, blasts will continue and it will happen in Bujumbura (the Burundi capital) too."
The explosions, which also injured about 70 people, ripped through a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant as football fans watched the last few minutes of the World Cup final.The explosions, which also injured about 70 people, ripped through a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant as football fans watched the last few minutes of the World Cup final.
'Best news ever''Best news ever'
The deadliest of the blasts was at the crowded rugby club. At both scenes chairs lay overturned, with blood and pieces of flesh on the floor.The deadliest of the blasts was at the crowded rugby club. At both scenes chairs lay overturned, with blood and pieces of flesh on the floor.
In Mogadishu, an al-Shabab commander said he was pleased with the blasts in Uganda, but did not admit it was the militant group's work. Earlier in Mogadishu, an al-Shabab commander said he was pleased with the blasts in Uganda, but did not admit it was the militant group's work.
Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa told the news agency Reuters: "Uganda is a major infidel country supporting the so-called government of Somalia.Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa told the news agency Reuters: "Uganda is a major infidel country supporting the so-called government of Somalia.
"We know Uganda is against Islam and so we are very happy at what has happened in Kampala. That is the best news we ever heard.""We know Uganda is against Islam and so we are very happy at what has happened in Kampala. That is the best news we ever heard."
Aware of threatAware of threat
Ugandan Internal Affairs Minister Matia Kasaija told the BBC that the severed head of "somebody from Somalia" had been identified at the scene of one blast.Ugandan Internal Affairs Minister Matia Kasaija told the BBC that the severed head of "somebody from Somalia" had been identified at the scene of one blast.
He told the World Today programme Uganda had been aware of the threat, but had been caught off-guard.He told the World Today programme Uganda had been aware of the threat, but had been caught off-guard.
The BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, says there is no proof as yet that al-Shabab was involved. The blasts could be linked to next year's elections in Uganda, our correspondent adds.
But the blast at the Ethiopian Village restaurant in particular has raised suspicions of al-Shabab involvement.
Addis Ababa backs Somalia's government against the rebels. And Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia in 2006 to oust an Islamist movement, stoking an insurgency that still rages.Addis Ababa backs Somalia's government against the rebels. And Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia in 2006 to oust an Islamist movement, stoking an insurgency that still rages.
Al-Shabab has also in the past threatened to attack Kampala.Al-Shabab has also in the past threatened to attack Kampala.
About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu propping up the fragile interim government.About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu propping up the fragile interim government.
American deadAmerican dead
The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) force is engaged in frequent firefights with the Islamist insurgents that control much of southern and central Somalia. The Amisom force is engaged in frequent firefights with the Islamist insurgents that control much of southern and central Somalia.
Many - if not most - of those killed and injured in the Kampala blasts were foreign nationals, with both venues popular destinations for expatriates living in the capital.Many - if not most - of those killed and injured in the Kampala blasts were foreign nationals, with both venues popular destinations for expatriates living in the capital.
One unnamed witness told the BBC how he was caught in the rugby club blast.One unnamed witness told the BBC how he was caught in the rugby club blast.
"I just heard the bomb. In fact, I was blacked out... when I gained consciousness, then I started now, crawling, coming out," he said. "I just heard the bomb. In fact, I blacked out... when I gained consciousness, then I started now, crawling, coming out," he said.
One of the dead was an American, reported to be an aid worker from California. The nationalities of the people killed have not been released. One of the dead was an American, reported to be an aid worker from California. The nationalities of the other people killed have not been released.
At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant.At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant.
One, Kris Sledge, 18, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, said from his hospital bed: "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running."One, Kris Sledge, 18, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, said from his hospital bed: "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running."
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni criticised the attackers and said his country would not "run away" from its commitments in Mogadishu.Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni criticised the attackers and said his country would not "run away" from its commitments in Mogadishu.
"People who are watching football are not people who should be targeted. If they [attackers] want a fight, they should go and look for soldiers.""People who are watching football are not people who should be targeted. If they [attackers] want a fight, they should go and look for soldiers."
US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly".US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly".
The African Union has said the attacks will not affect its summit, which is due to be held in Kampala later this month.The African Union has said the attacks will not affect its summit, which is due to be held in Kampala later this month.
Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.