Security lapses continues to hit the war torn Somalia with at least 11 people reported to have been killed on Thursday following a bomb blast in downtown Mogadishu in a nearby restaurant.
Amisom forces have been trying to assert their authorities with government forces despite reports of fallout among member contributing troops to the Horn of Africa nation.
Al-Shabaab militants have intensified operations both in North and Southern sectors, with top level security forces confirming possible withdrawal of KDF troops from Somalia in what has been linked to disputed Indian Ocean oil wells between Kenya and Somalia.
"The death toll we have confirmed so far is 11 people, with 16 others wounded," said Abdulkadir Abdirahman Adan, director of the Aamin Ambulance service, adding that the toll could still rise. "There could be more losses."
Witnesses described scenes of devastation. "The car bomb struck a restaurant along the road," said Abdulahi Osman, who was nearby to the explosion. "This really was a disaster."
Vehicles were tossed into the air by the blast, which also damaged nearby buildings. Witnesses said several cars and three-wheeler motorbikes were destroyed by the force of the explosionThe bombing is the latest in a recent string of blasts in the capital, which has been hit regularly by Shabaab attacks.
"There was a heavy blast -- presumably caused by a vehicle loaded with explosives," said Adan Abdikadir, a government security officer.
Award-winning journalist Nyambega Gisesa, who is well versed with the operation in Somalia, hinted of a possible fallout between Amisom member contributing states, adding that the latest development could cede grounds to Al-Shabaab militants.
"There are serious divisions within #Amisom among member contributing troops which threaten the gains made in the war against the Al Shabaab militants @JustAwHirsi @HarunMaruf @MoradNews @MogadishuNews," he tweeted.
On Tuesday morning (last week), a contingent of troops made the final withdrawal from Busar. “Our people spotted the troops heading towards the Somali border. They destroyed their military base before leaving,” a senior politician from Gedo, who requested not to be named for fear of reprisals by both KDF and Somali security forces, told the Nation.
But despite the withdrawal claims, KDF spokesman Brigadier Bogita Ongeri, declined to make an official statement even after it emerged that Kenyan-born Al-Shabaab commander Iman Ali had been killed last Friday in an airstrike.