US military plane lands in Mogadishu carrying tonnes of medical aid

The United States has sent medical aid to Somalia to support the victims of the truck bomb blast that killed over 300 people.

A US military transport plane landed in Mogadishu on Tuesday carrying medical supplies to be handed to the Somali government. The quantity of supplies have not yet been disclosed.

#BREAKING: US Air Force space plane carrying medical assistance lands #Mogadishu airport. #Somalia pic.twitter.com/o4mnuOeX18

— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) October 17, 2017

This gesture follows that of Djibouti which sent over 30 doctors on Monday to offer treatment. Kenya announced on Tuesday that it will send 31 tonnes of medical supplies to Mogadishu and evacuate some of the victims of the bomb blast to Nairobi for treatment.

Turkey was the first country to respond immediately after the bomb blast on Saturday by sending a team of medical professionals and an emergency response plane that airlifted some critically injured victims to Ankara for treatment.

Turkey is flying planes full of medical supplies to Mogadishu. They plan to airlift the wounded and take them back to Turkey for treatment. pic.twitter.com/t8Aj3d1xrx

— Somali News Updates (@Somaliweyn_) October 15, 2017

Saturday’s explosion hit a busy junction in Mogadishu killing civilians including doctors and students.

No group has claimed responsibility but the Somali government points fingers at Islamist group al Shabaab.

The United States condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” describing it as “senseless and cowardly”.

The Department of State added that it will stand with Somalia to fight terrorism.