3 soldiers killed in blasts in Somalia's Puntland region
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A military official in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region says two bomb blasts have killed at least three soldiers in a remote village.
Col. Abdullahi Ahmed says the simultaneous blasts occurred in Af-Urur as soldiers gathered to buy khat, stimulant leaves often chewed by Somali men.
The blasts occurred amid celebrations for Eid holiday festivities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Ahmed says at least 10 other people were injured in the blast caused by two bombs concealed in the shop. He blames the Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group.
Puntland in northern Somalia also faces a growing threat from fighters linked to the Islamic State group who have split from al-Shabab.