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11 killed in twin bombings in N Cameroon

Security forces transport with a blanket the remains of some of the eleven victims of a double blast in the northern Cameroonian city of Maroua on July 22, 2015. © AFP

At least 11 people have been killed in northern Cameroon in two bomb attacks at a busy marketplace and a popular neighborhood, officials say.

According to regional governor Midjiyawa Bakari, the twin attacks were carried out on Wednesday in the central market of Maroua, the capital of the Far North Region, as well as the adjoining Hausa neighborhood, when two female assailants “under 15” blew their explosives.

Cameroon's presidency said in a statement that 11 people died and 32 sustained injuries in what it denounced as "cowardly and despicable" acts.

The deadly explosions came a few days after two female attackers set off their explosives in the town of Fotokol, located on the border with Nigeria, on July 12. The bombings killed 10 civilians as well as a soldier from neighboring Chad.

Also on Monday, at least 23 people were killed in an attack by suspected Takfiri Boko Haram militants in northern Cameroon.

Boko Haram, whose name means Western education is forbidden, has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009. The group’s deadly militancy has so far killed at least 15,000 people and left over 1.5 million others homeless.

In February, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon formed a coalition and reportedly managed to drive the militants from captured towns and villages in their offensive.

A picture taken on February 17, 2015 shows Cameroonian soldiers holding a position in the town of Fotokol, located on the border with Nigeria. © AFP

 

Boko Haram have so far carried out several raids and abductions in northern Cameroon in reprisal for the country’s participation in the military offensive against the group.

The Takfiri group has pledged allegiance to the ISIL terrorist group, which mainly operates in Syria and Iraq. The Nigerian militant group has intensified its campaign of terror since President Mohammadu Buhari came to power on May 29.


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