Uganda Blasts Kill 74, Shabaab Suspected
AFP: Uganda Bombings Kill 74 at World Cup Parties
Last night, two explosions went off in two restaurants in the Ugandan capital, killing at least 74 people amongst crowds gathering to watch the World Cup final. Though no group has yet claimed responsibility, initial reports suggest that Somalia’s al Shabaab, which espouses a harsh interpretation of Sharia law that bans gathering to watch sporting events, is suspected to have conducted the attacks. Al Shabaab’s leadership has previously threatened attacks against Uganda and Burundi for those countries’ troop contributions to the African Union mission in Somalia. Uganda was the first country to send troops to Somalia in early 2007.
UPDATE 12:18 pm: The Guardian reports that al Shabaab has now claimed responsibility for the Uganda attacks. In claiming responsibility, Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, a spokesman for the group, stated, “We will carry out attacks against our enemy wherever they are. No one will deter us from performing our Islamic duty.”
