Mogadishu (Somalia), Mar 14 (AP) Witnesses say at least nine people, including five soldiers, were killed Tuesday when an explosives-laden car targeted the entrance of a guest house in the southern Somalia town of Bardhere in Gedo region.

Suleyman Hassan, who works with the district commissioner, told The Associated Press that the governor and senior military officers were wounded and airlifted to the capital, Mogadishu.

Also Read | Meta Layoffs: Facebook Parent Company Slashes Another 10,000 Jobs.

The extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack that occurred as military officers and Gedo administration officials in Bardhere began to recruit locals to help drive al-Shabab out of the Middle and Lower Jubba districts.

Witness Ibrahim Aden said at least 10 people including civilians were wounded. “I have seen with my own eyes several people, including two of my distant relatives, sustain injuries,” he said. (AP)

Also Read | Toshakhana Policy 2023: Pakistan Government Bans Prime Minister, President, Judges From Receiving Gifts Valued Over USD 300.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)