A powerful explosion rocked the Timirshe area in at Iskushuban district of Bari region of Somalia today, as a landmine targeted a Toyota Surf vehicle owned by the local non-governmental organization “Horn of Africa Integrated Development Activities (HIDA)”. The blast injured the driver and was intended to target the director of the HIDA, Mohamud Ali Nur, who miraculously survived the attack.
HIDA is a local non-governmental organization that has a Field Level Agreement with the World Food Program (WFP), with cooperation partnership in food security and livelihood interventions in Somalia, particularly in Iskushuban and Banderbayla districts.
The attack has created fear and uncertainty among local residents, who are already living in a state of high alert due to the terrorist activities. The explosion has also raised concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers and aid agencies operating in the region.
The vehicle was on a mission to monitor a humanitarian project in the area when it was targeted by the explosion. At the time of the attack, HIDA’s director, Mohamud Ali Nur, and the driver were on board. Miraculously, Mohamud Ali Nur survived the attack, while the driver was injured.
Mohamud Ali Nur had been threatened several times before, and this attack was likely an attempt on his life. The Police Command of the Bari Region confirmed that terrorist groups are behind the explosion and believe that AS and ISIS, which is active in the Bari region, was responsible.
The police also revealed that most business establishments, NGOs, and charitable organizations in the region are being extorted money by terrorist groups. Those who refuse to pay are often killed or subjected to violence.
