Terrorist attack in Ugandan capital targets World Cup watchers
Top story: Twin explosions rocked Uganda's capital of Kampala on Sunday, killing at least 64 people. The bombing occurred within minutes of each other, targeting an Ethiopian garden restaurant and a rugby field where large numbers of people had gathered to watch the World Cup final. An official at the U.S. embassy confirmed that at least one American had been killed, and the spokeswoman for the Ugandan police also said that Ethiopian, Indian, and Congolese victims were among the dead. The security services have yet to determine what type of bomb was used, but have not ruled out a suicide attack.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, the prime suspect appears to be al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia based in Somalia with links to al Qaeda. Uganda serves as a training ground from the soldiers of Somalia's transitional government, which is an enemy of al-Shabaab. Uganda and Burundi are also the two countries that contribute troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an al-Shabaab commander, said that he was happy with the attack, though did not confirm that his group had a role in carrying it out. "Uganda is one of our enemies," he told the Associated Press. "Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us."
At the White House, spokesman Tommy Vietor condemned the terrorist bombing. "The president is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from these deplorable and cowardly attacks, and sends his condolences to the people of Uganda and the loved ones of those who have been killed or injured," he said.
Karzai wants ex-Taliban off UN blacklist: Afghan President Hamid Karzai will push for up to 50 former Taliban officials to be removed from a UN terrorism blacklist. This move is meant to advance his attempts to reintegrate the Taliban insurgents into the political system.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, the prime suspect appears to be al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia based in Somalia with links to al Qaeda. Uganda serves as a training ground from the soldiers of Somalia's transitional government, which is an enemy of al-Shabaab. Uganda and Burundi are also the two countries that contribute troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an al-Shabaab commander, said that he was happy with the attack, though did not confirm that his group had a role in carrying it out. "Uganda is one of our enemies," he told the Associated Press. "Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us."
At the White House, spokesman Tommy Vietor condemned the terrorist bombing. "The president is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from these deplorable and cowardly attacks, and sends his condolences to the people of Uganda and the loved ones of those who have been killed or injured," he said.
Karzai wants ex-Taliban off UN blacklist: Afghan President Hamid Karzai will push for up to 50 former Taliban officials to be removed from a UN terrorism blacklist. This move is meant to advance his attempts to reintegrate the Taliban insurgents into the political system.
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