On 19 February 2022, a suicide attacker detonated an explosives-laden vest at a restaurant in central Beledweyne, a town located approximately 30 km (20 mi) south of the Ethiopian border. The bombing occurred at the crowded restaurant as a number of local officials and politicians had gathered for lunch. At least 13 people were killed in the blast and approximately 20 others sustained injuries. The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing. Later in the day, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at a tea shop in the northern coastal town of Bosaso in Puntland state. At least two people were killed in the blast and 13 others were wounded. Al-Shabab did not immediately claim responsibility for the latter attack. Al-Shabab militants launched the attack in Beledweyne the day before the first round of voting for indirect parliamentary elections was set to occur in Beledweyne. The militant group has recently increased attacks in the country amid the ongoing indirect parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to conclude on 25 February.