1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On 26 April, 2004 an explosion took place
in Quartier 4 (Q4) in the city of Djibouti. One person was
injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. The
National Police (PN) conducted an investigation and submitted
their findings to RSO Djibouti. Several details of the
incident remain inconclusive, but RSO will continue to work
with Host Nation counterparts to try and solidify the
information.



2. (C) On 26 April, 2004 (time unknown) the Chief
Investigator of the PN, Commander Omar Houssein, was notified
by the PN command center that an explosion occurred in a
house located in Q4 near the Cheik Issa Mosque. Cmdr
Houssein immediately initiated an investigation.

Upon arrival to the site, Cmdr Houssein instructed an
ambulance to transport a female, (ethnicity unknown), to the
Djiboutian central medical facility - Peltier Hospital. The
PN then proceeded to question and subsequently arrest eight
individuals at the site, who were suspected of involvement in
the incident.

The PN collected several pieces of metal, which they believe
are fragmented parts of the explosive device. An assessment
of the blast pattern was conducted and the PN came to the
conclusion that the device was placed in the kitchen ceiling
of the house. Unfortunately, the PN does not have the
material resources to effectively identify the type or size
of device used.

The PN states that as a result of interviews, Youssouf
Mohamoud Said (an Ethiopian Oromo male) is the primary
suspect in detonation of the device. In addition, the PN
believe that Said and his brother, Djamal Mahamoud Said, are
probably the individuals responsible for either carrying out
or coordinating bombings aboard the Djibouti/Ethiopian train
in the past year. Unfortunately, Djamal fled the scene and
is nowhere to be found. The PN is continuing their
investigation and have promised to keep the RSO informed as
to the development of the case.



3. (S) RSO Notes: RSO believes that much of this information
was passed to him in an effort to gain support for the
Djiboutian theory on the train bombings. The Djiboutians
theorize that the Ethiopian government is behind the
explosions on the train and they have made several attempts
to solicit support from the USG in the manner of financial
resources to invigorate a failing transport system.
Djiboutians are well aware of the passion that Americans have
for countering terrorism and use key words such as bombs,
terrorists and security to garner financial and material
assistance at available opportunities. RSO will continue to
monitor the investigation, but remains skeptical of
information provided by Djiboutian authorities.



4. (SBU) On a positive note, reports from several sources
indicated that the Djiboutian investigative team responded
quickly to the scene of the crime and conducted their
investigation in a methodical and professional manner.
Bystanders were impressed with the type of evidence
collection equipment used and the precise application of
specialized tools to secure the site and determine the
location of the device This sort of response can only be
attributed to the successful contribution put forth by the
Anti Terrorism Assistance program. The techniques applied
and equipment used is directly linked to the Post Blast
Investigation Course and the Terrorist Crime Scene
investigation course. These courses have been crucial in
enhancing the very capabilities needed to respond to an
incident at the Embassy and is the best dollar for dollar
investment the USG has in countering terrorism in Djibouti.




5. (S) RSO requests ITA, PII and Embassies Addis Ababa,
Asmara, Nairobi, Khartoum and Sanaa conduct name checks on
the following persons to correlate any potential terrorist
associations:

- Mohamed Said Dirir - Djiboutian National (Landlord)
- Youssouf Mohamed Said, Ethiopian Oromo (prime suspect in
custody)
- Djamal Mohamed Said - AKA "Gandokoray" (prime suspect at
large)
- Safia Abdillahi Mouhoumed, Ethipoian Oromo (spouse of
Youssouf Mohamed Said)
- Said Aden, Djiboutian National
- Khairia Abass Omar, Ethiopian Oromo (spouse of Aden)
- Mahdi Said Aden, Djiboutian National (son of Aden and
Khairia)
- Aicha Ahmed Said, Ethiopian Oromo
- Assia Youssouf Robleh, Ethiopian Oromo
- Ahmed Mohamed Abdoulkader, Djiboutian National


5. POC is RSO Marc Ramos at 253-35-39-95 or 253-35-26-73
(secure).
RAGSDALE