Suicide bomber kills 3, wounds 7 outside mosque in Somalia

A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the southern port city of Kismayo as Friday prayers ended, killing three people.

Sahal Nur told The Associated Press that the bomber detonated his explosives belt near the gate of the mosque as worshippers were leaving after prayers. Seven people were hurt, he said.

The deceased include Jubaland Chamber Of Commerce Chairman Shafi'i Rabi Kahin, according to Ahmed Mohamed Islam, Jubaland's state president.

"Today's terrorist attack in Kismayo killed Jubaland chamber of commerce chairman Shafi'i Rabi Kahin. We extended our condolences to families and friends of those lost their lives in the attack," Islam said in a statement.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. However, the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group often carries out such attacks.
Attacks on mosques are uncommon in Somalia.

The attack came a day after a landmine targeted a busy restaurant in the border town of Elwak, Gedo region, killing at least two civilians and wounding three others.

On Wednesday, a suicide bomber blew himself up near Somalia's presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu, killing at least five people including security forces claimed by al-Shabaab militants group.