MOGADISHU, Somalia – The number of deaths from Saturday’s twin car bomb explosions in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, rose to at least 10, officials said.
A vehicle loaded with explosives was used to try to breach a checkpoint on the way near Somali Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, a police officer, Hassan Hussein said.
Hussein says the security forces had thwarted the attack.
A blast near security checkpoint was reportedly followed by gunfire.
He said a second explosion later, which destroyed vehicles after minutes of gun fighting between the attackers and the security forces.
Hussein confirmed that 10 people, including 3 attackers wearing military uniforms were killed in the attack.
“Somali security forces foiled the attack. We have killed all the gunmen during a clash in Mogadishu”. He said.
The attack was claimed by al-Shabab in a statement posted through online.
The group says the attack happened successfully, adding that it was targeting the government and security services.
Saturday’s car bombs and gun attack happened when major roads in Somali capital Mogadishu are blocked by security forces in fear of fresh Al Shabaab attacks.
The attack comes a week after 14 people killed in suicide bomb explosion targeted at Somalia’s Interior Ministry headquarters in Mogadishu.
With reporting by Abdirisak Mohamud Tuuryare from Mogadishu, Somalia
