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Death toll from twin blasts in Somalia’s capital rises to 21

Feb 24, 2018 | 5:00 AM

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Authorities say the death toll in a pair of explosions Friday evening in Somalia’s capital has risen to 21.

The director of Aamin Ambulance service, Dr. Abdirahman Abdulqadir, gave the new toll Saturday. It was confirmed by police Capt. Mohamed Hussein, who said it was based on figures from hospitals.

The two car bomb blasts shattered a months-long period of calm in Mogadishu, which is often the target of attacks by the al-Shabab extremist group.

The first blast occurred near Somalia’s intelligence headquarters and the second occurred near parliament’s headquarters.