Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for Somalia jet blast

The jihadist group Al-Shabaab on Saturday claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded a Somali passenger plane this month.

In an emailed statement, al-Shabab said the attack was revenge for Western intelligence operations in Somalia.

"While the operation did not bring down the plane as Allah had decreed, it struck terror in the hearts of the crusaders," the statement reads. The group vowed to continue targeting "Western intelligence teams" that operate in Somalia.

The Daallo Airlines Airbus 321 with 74 passengers on board made an emergency landing in the capital Mogadishu after the explosion shortly after take-off.

Authorities say the explosion only killed the alleged bomber.

The explosion happened about 15 minutes into the flight, when the plane was only at around 11,000ft (3,350m) and the cabin was not yet pressurised.