Two arrested in connection with Somalia bombing that killed more than 300
MOGADISHU: Officials in Somalia say two people have been arrested in connection with Saturday's massive truck bombing that killed more than 300.
A Somali intelligence official investigating the attack tells The Associated Press that a well-known man who vouched for the truck and persuaded soldiers to allow it into Mogadishu is now in jail.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
The official says the truck bomber had an accomplice driving a minivan packed with explosives that took another route but was stopped at a checkpoint near Mogadishu's airport.
A senior Somali police officer, Capt. Mohamed Hussein, says that driver is now being held in a local prison.
A senior Somali police official says at least three people, including a pregnant woman, are injured after security forces opened fire while trying to disperse protesters marching toward the site of Saturday's huge truck bombing in Mogadishu.
Capt Mohammed Hussein says both Somali police and African Union soldiers were at the scene and opened fire.
Thousands of people are marching through Mogadishu in a show of unity and defiance after the bombing killed more than 300 people and wounded nearly 400. Scores remain missing.
Pope Francis has deplored the Somalia bombing that killed more than 300 people and wounded nearly 400 others.
At the end of his Wednesday public audience in St Peter's Square, Francis said "this terrorist act merits the strongest laments" especially since it struck an already suffering population.