Amid a public outcry, al-Shabab's Mogadishu-based spokesman Ali Mohamed Rage denied his group had carried out the bombing.

VOA: standard.2009.12.23

But late Saturday, the Mogadishu-based spokesman for al-Shabab,Ali Mohamed Rage, also known as Ali Dhere, also claimed victory.

VOA: standard.2010.01.02

"Suddenly several police arrived and ordered us off the plane, " passenger Abla Mohamed Ali said.

BBC: Police criticised in 'hijack' case

The BBC's reporter in Puntland, Ahmed Mohamed Ali, says it also explains the tight operation the pirates run.

BBC: Somali pirates living the high life

In recent days, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has been feisty in his criticism of the international response to Somalia's famine.

BBC: Mogadishu machinations: Is the famine an opportunity?