More than 20 people have been killed after Al-Shabab militants attacked a Somali food convoy on Friday.
The governor of Hiiraan region, Ali Jeyte Osman said the militants planted a bomb on the convey carrying food and aid workers.
He estimates the death toll from the attack could rise since 27 people have already been reported dead, including women and children.
The deadly attack also destroyed vehicles and food aid in Somalia’s central Hiiraan region.
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“Many have been injured and others have fled the area during the attack.
Dead bodies are still being collected, including women and children,” Ali Jeyte Osman said.
The governor accused Al-Shabab militants of attacking civilian population in the region, burning villages and destroying well water sources.
A clan leader of the community where the attack occurred described the attack as “horrible”.
Mohamed Abdirahman told AFP the atrocity is first of its kind to happen in the region.
“These were innocent civilians who had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict,” he lamented.
Armed fighters yet to be identified attacked a hotel in the city two weeks back, killing 20 people.
The Islamist militants group has admitted to carrying out the Hiiraan region attack last Friday.
Statement issued by the group said the vehicles involved in the attack were carrying food supplies to local fighters backed by the government.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia is now gaining influence in government controlled areas in the capital Mogadishu.
Al-Shabab militant threats to overthrow Somalia’s central government continue to grow.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says his government would continue the fight against terrorism in the country.
Expert say Somalia is facing its “worst drought” in a decade.
Hundreds of thousand Somalis have been displaced by the life threatening drought in the Horn of Africa.
