Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (SHP)

Abu Dhabi, Jan 19: In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the UAE has strongly condemned the bomb attack in Somalia that claimed several lives and left many injured.

The bomb struck near the town of Afgoye about 30 kilometres west of the capital (Mogadishu), killing four people and wounding several others including several Turkish nationals, said local police officer Abdirahman Adan.

The Ministry has passed on condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

As per police and witnesses, a car bomb which was triggered killed four people on Saturday that apparently was targeting Turkish engineers working on a road near the capital Mogadishu.

The attack was claimed by the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al Shabaab, which has stepped up its activities in Somalia and neighbouring Kenya in recent weeks.

"The blast was huge, it destroyed a container used by the Turkish engineers who work on the Afgoye road construction," said witness Muhidin Yusuf.

"There were police who were guarding the Turkish engineers and several other people gathering near the checkpoint where the temporary shelter is located," said another witness Ahmed Said.

The terrorist group, which has fought for more than a decade to topple the Somali government, has carried out a series of attacks in recent weeks including a massive car bombing in Mogadishu on December 28 that killed 81 people.

Last week, Al Shabaab warned that Kenya will "never be safe", threatening tourists and calling for more attacks on US interests.