Huge blast heard near Somali gov't building; casualties feared

Xinhua

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A huge car bomb explosion heard near a government compound in Mogadishu's Shibis district Sunday, local police said.

"The car bomb exploded outside the building near the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency headquarters, and attackers attempted to storm the building, but the Somali forces have stopped them," said police officer Jamal Isaaq.

There are casualties among the attackers and the Somali government forces but he didn't know the exact number so far, said the officer.

Nayros Abdullahi, one of the residents in Shibis district, told Xinhua that she heard a loud explosion followed by a heavy gunfire near the building of the National Intelligence and Security Agency headquarters.

"It was early in the morning, and we were shocked after we heard the blast because it was a great explosion," said Abdullahi.

Militant group Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack. There is no official confirmation on the casualties by far.

Al-Shabaab militants have reportedly vowed to step up attacks on government bases and African peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu during the holy month of Ramadan. Enditem