Somalia: Suicide bombings bear the markings of al Qaida

The 5 suicide bombings in Somalia yesterday bear the hallmarks of al Qaida. More likely, it was probably al Shabaab, which is linked to al Qaida, that carried out the attacks. In related news, a cleric was arrested in connection to the suicide bombings. AFP

NAIROBI (AFP) — The deadly coordinated suicide car bomb attacks against key targets in two Somali breakaway states Wednesday have the markings of Al-Qaeda, Jendayi Frazer, US assistant secretary of state for Africa, told reporters in Nairobi.

"Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they have the markings of Al-Qaeda," she said after attending a summit on Somalia in the Kenyan capital.

"We believe that these senseless attacks highlight the determination of violent extremists to undermine peace and stability throughout Somalia and the Horn of Africa."

Frazer said Washington will continue to support regional efforts to combat terrorism.

"There is a serious terrorist threat in the Horn of Africa, concentrated in Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland and we have to address it as a region," she said.