7 Al-Shabaab militants killed in Mogadishu prison attack: presidency

"7 Al-Shabaab killed in attack on Godka Jilicow prison in Mogadishu Somalia," Somali presidency tweeted, the country's information ministry also confirmed the death number. Witnesses said the bodies of seven dead militants laid strewn near the prison while government forces took up positions in and around the area.The prison located in the south of the capital where government intelligence agency interrogates suspected Al-Shabaab members.

Local media reported two security forces and one civilian were also killed during the attack. 38 Al-Shabaab members sentenced to death were among prisoners in Godka jilicow.

"They tried to gain access to the prison but they were repulsed by the security forces. Some of them were eliminated and others fled and are being pursued by the police," police officer Ali Omar told Xinhua.

The attack started with a suicide car bomb explosion near the high-security prison and subsequent firefight ensued between militant fighters and Somali government forces backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), witnesses said.

Several explosions were heard around the prison, they said.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on the prison where militant Al-Shabaab members are thought to be held.

The attacks came after AMISOM with Somali National Army on Saturday captured a strategic town of Bulo Marer in Lower Shabelle region from the group. The town is 115 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The forces also captured two other small towns of Goolweyn and Jerlio during the operation.

AU officials said the capture of Bulo Marer is critical for operations to liberate the port city of Baraawe, one of the remaining sources of illicit revenue for the group.