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Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Deadly Somalia Explosion

VOA News

   The militant groupal-Shabab is claiming responsibility for a landmine
   explosion in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu,that killed four people.

   Dalsan FM radioreportsthe deputycommissioner forsecurity andpolitics
   inGarasbaale, Abdi-RashidDubad,was among the victims killed in
   Tuesday's blast.

   Six others were injured in theexplosionjust two days
   aftertheUnitedStatescompleted thewithdrawalof 700 militarypersonnel
   from Somaliawho supported security forces with
   counterterrorismoperations.

   The pull out of U.S.troops from Somaliawas oneofPresidentDonaldTrump's
   lastofficialactions.

   Itisunknown whetherPresident-electJoe Biden willreverse the withdrawal
   of U.S.militarypersonnel fromSomalia after he becomes the
   46thU.S.presidentat noon on Wednesday.

   The absence of U.S.troopsinSomalia has taken
   onagreatersignificancebecause the country isweeks away from
   theFebruary8presidential election, whichmilitants havepreviously
   attempted to disrupt.

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