RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned a “terrorist attack” by Al-Shabab militants on vehicles in the central Somali region of Hiran, killing at least 19 people and wounding several others. The Kingdom’s foreign ministry said the country affirmed its full support for Somalia in combating all terrorist acts that threaten its security and stability, reiterating its rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism.  The ministry also expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and to the Somali government and people, and wished the injured a speedy recovery and for security and stability to prevail in the Horn of Africa country. Local officials said at least eight vehicles were traveling on a road between the towns of Beledweyne and Maxaas when the insurgents intercepted and burned them and killed the passengers overnight Friday to Saturday by Afar-Irdood village. Al-Shabab in a statement said they targeted fighters from a local sub-clan that recently helped government forces and that they killed 20 “militiamen and those who were transporting material for them,” destroying nine of their vehicles. The attack comes two weeks after an attack by Al-Shabab on a hotel in the capital Mogadishu that lasted for 30 hours, killing 21 people and wounding 117. (With AFP)