This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/10602791.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Somali rebels claim Uganda blasts | Somali rebels claim Uganda blasts |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has said it was behind 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. |
A spokesman for the group, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, threatened more attacks in a statement in Mogadishu. | 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. | 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 previously threatened Kampala. | |
"Al-Shabab was behind the two bomb blasts in Uganda," Ali Mohamud Rage said. | "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. |
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. | 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 threat | Aware of threat |
Ugandan Internal Affairs Minister Matia Kasaija told the BBC that the severed head of a person 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. |
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. |
The 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. |
American dead | |
The attack on the Ethiopian restaurant also fits in with al-Shabab's regional policy. | |
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. | |
BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste says security services across the region will now be reassessing how they can protect themselves from a force that has proven itself willing and capable of striking outside Somalia's borders. | |
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 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. |
California-based aid group Invisible Children, which helps child soldiers, said one of its workers, Nate Henn, 25, was among those killed at the rugby club. | |
Police said Ethiopian, Indian and Congolese nationals were also among those killed and wounded. | |
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. |