![Explosion on airliner in Somalia Explosion on airliner in Somalia](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/somalia-plane-explosion1.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By NBC News
Islamic extremist group al Shabab has claimed responsibility for the bombing of a passenger plane earlier this month in Somalia that blew a hole in the fuselage and sucked out the suspected instigator.
In a statement Saturday, al Shabab said the explosion targeted dozens of Western intelligence officials and Turkish NATO forces aboard a plan bound for Djibouti on Feb. 2. The operation was “retribution,” it said, for acts against Somali Muslims.
Al Shabab’s claim of responsibility was not immediately verified by investigators. But the online claim does appear to be from the terror group, according to global security firm
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