Mogadishu, Jumada I 4, 1437, Feb 13, 2016, SPA -- Al-Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for an explosion that ripped a hole in the side of a passenger plane in Somalia last week, killing only the bomber himself, AP reported. The explosion was intended to target US and Turkish officials, who would have been travelling on another flight from Turkish Airways, according to a statement posted on a pro-insurgent website. The man who bombed the plane of Daallo Airlines was initially due to fly on Turkish Airlines, but due to a cancellation, he was referred to Daallo Airlines to travel on the CEO of Daallo Airlines said earlier this week. The attack was retaliation for the crimes of the crusaders of the West in Somalia, according to Saturday's statement. The statement couldn't be independently verified by dpa. -- SPA 01:38 LOCAL TIME 22:38 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w