Suicide bombers attack government and diplomatic targets

On 29 October 2008 several suicide bombers attacked government and diplomatic targets in two breakaway regions in northern Somalia in coordinated attacks. Reports indicate that suicide bombers in cars detonated their explosives outside two offices of Puntland's intelligence agency in the city of Bossaso. Six security officers were injured in the attack, according to authorities. Three other bombings occurred in Hargesia, the capital of the breakaway Somaliland province. Eyewitnesses stated that the explosions hit the Ethiopian consulate, a local government office and a humanitarian aid compound. The explosions were reportedly heard throughout Hargesia. A Somaliland government spokesman reported that at least 19 people were killed in the wave of bombings. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Although violence and bombings are relatively common in Somalia, the breakaway regions have typically been more stable than other parts of the country.