Maroua, July 23 (RHC)-- 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.
