Car bomb kills 8 in Somali capital Mogadishu

A woman and child were among those killed when a car bomb exploded in the city of Azaz, monitors said. A separate blast targeted a checkpoint in northern Syria, which is controlled by Turkish-backed rebels.

Sounds of gunfire rang out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as opposition protesters gathered to protest election delays. Two people died in fighting overnight.

Police suspect a suicide bomber blew up a car outside a popular restaurant in the capital city. Victims were still reportedly being pulled from the rubble through the evening.

Somalia's lower house of parliament has voted to extend the president’s mandate for two years. The speaker of the Senate, which would usually approve the legislation, immediately slammed the move as unconstitutional. This comes as Somalia's political scene has been in deadlock for months over the holding of elections. Also, the African Union urges the continent to boost its vaccine production efforts as richer regions are accused of hoarding Covid-19 inoculations. And in Tunisia, protesters continue to demonstrate against the dumping of waste from Italy on Tunisian land.

Sporadic clashes broke out in the Somalian capital as tensions continue after embattled President Mohamed extended his mandate last week sparking a political crisis.

The president agreed to not extend his term in an overnight speech. The country's prime minister had signaled his opposition to the president's plan to extend his mandate. Some residents have started fleeing Mogadishu.

Mogadishu residents have started to flee from their homes after military forces, who are against Somalia's president’s term extension, took over new positions along Maka al Mukarrama, a key road that is often used by the government officials. Residents say they fear armed clashes will renew in the city.

The massive blast hit a guest house as people were breaking their fast during Ramadan. High school students are reportedly among the casualties.

A massive real estate development is changing the landscape on the outskirts of Mogadishu. The Daru Salam project encourages the Somali diaspora to invest in the country. The developments feature modern housing, leisure and security infrastructure.

Region president says transport links to Addis Ababa blocked. Video credit: Najib Dayib, Ogedenia Media Agency

Afghan special forces patrol the streets of Herat as the Taliban press on with a series of offensives on cities, having seized control of much of rural Afghanistan since foreign forces began the last stage of their withdrawal in May.

Two cars are seen destroyed in Kabul after the United States said it carried out an air strike on Sunday night in Kabul on an IS-prepared car bomb. The US military said it was "aware of reports of civilian casualties" from the strike, which came after an attack outside the airport late last week killed more than 100 people, including 13 American troops.