Beledweyne blast kills one, injures seven in attack on local restaurant

At least one civilian was killed, and seven others were injured following an explosion targeting a popular restaurant in the Howlwadaag neighbourhood of Beledweyne town, Hiiraan region, on Tuesday. 

The restaurant, frequented by young locals, particularly football players, was the scene of the bomb blast, which left nearby residents in shock.

Security forces arrived at the site hours after the explosion to investigate but did not report any arrests. 

Tensions have been escalating in Beledweyne in recent weeks as last night gunmen killed a Somali National Army soldier, Abdirahman Ali Kaar, and took away his AK-47 rifle in the Koshin neighborhood.