SOMALIA'S STUDENTS SCREAMS

MOGADISHU -Somalia : On Oct 14, a truck carrying about two tons of homemade explosives blew up near Zoobe Junction, one of the busiest streets in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

The blast sent shock waves for miles.

More than 400 people were killed -nearly 150 of them burned beyond recognition   -and hundreds wounded.  Families and students wondering for hours searching for their loved ones in the rubble.

Hundreds of students and citizens lined up at hospital  for hours to donate blood. Doctors, nurses, students and ambulance drivers did all they could to rescue the wounded.

Grieving and angry Somalis gathered on Zoobe junction and blamed Islamist Shabab miilitants for the atrocity.

Leaders from Turkey, the United States, Britain, Canada, France, and the World Students Society condemned the attack.

But condemnation isn't going to help Somalia battle Shabab and the bomb makers.

To defeat Shabab terrorism, Somalia requires expertise and and equipment that it lacks, and it needs a new paradigm of cooperation Somali security services and our international partners.

There is no doubt about the Shabab, which has international links, being the perpetrator.

Bombings with home made explosives are a common tactic for tactic for these militants in their battle with the Somali government.

The toll in the Oct 14 bombings was so high, however, that the Shabab didn't dare to claim responsibility and admit its murderous conduct even to its own members and sympathisers.

A few years ago, the Shabab controlled almost all of Southern Somalia  -about half of the country.

Since then, Somalia and African Union Forces have expelled the Shabab from most major towns.

American airstrikes and joint operations Somalia and the United States Special Forces have killed dozens of militant leaders.