Police in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region say a suicide car bomb attack has killed at least eight people and wounded 37 others.
The attack took place Thursday in the northern port city of Bosasso.
Police say the bomber rammed a convoy of security vehicles. At least six soldiers are among those wounded.
An eyewitness told VOA the death toll could be higher because some of the injured were in serious condition.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility, but the Puntland government blamed al-Shabab.
The Puntland region has escaped the worst of Somalia's chronic violence, but al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab has a presence in mountains near Bosasso and has carried out similar attacks in southern and central Somalia.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the attack, which he blamed on terrorists.
Tensions have been running high in Puntland as the region prepares for elections in January.
The attack took place Thursday in the northern port city of Bosasso.
Police say the bomber rammed a convoy of security vehicles. At least six soldiers are among those wounded.
An eyewitness told VOA the death toll could be higher because some of the injured were in serious condition.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility, but the Puntland government blamed al-Shabab.
The Puntland region has escaped the worst of Somalia's chronic violence, but al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab has a presence in mountains near Bosasso and has carried out similar attacks in southern and central Somalia.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the attack, which he blamed on terrorists.
Tensions have been running high in Puntland as the region prepares for elections in January.
