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Three killed in Mogadishu blast Several killed in Mogadishu blast
(about 1 hour later)
A suicide bomber has killed three government guards in the Somali capital Mogadishu, where Islamist insurgents are fighting pro-government forces. A suicide bomber has killed a civilian and six government guards in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, where Islamists and pro-government forces are fighting.
The bomber drove a pick-up truck to the gate of a military base, and detonated an explosive in front of the guards.The bomber drove a pick-up truck to the gate of a military base, and detonated an explosive in front of the guards.
The attack follows two weeks of intense fighting after insurgent groups launched a fresh attempt to drive the government out of the capital. The attack follows two weeks of intense fighting after Islamist insurgent groups launched a fresh attempt to drive the government out of the city.
On Friday the government hit back, attacking key rebel strongholds.On Friday the government hit back, attacking key rebel strongholds.
Mogadishu has been blighted by 18 years of almost uninterrupted civil unrest.Mogadishu has been blighted by 18 years of almost uninterrupted civil unrest.
Rise in violenceRise in violence
"A speeding car laden with explosives entered the camp and exploded inside," Deputy Mogadishu Governor Abdifatah Shaweye told reporters."A speeding car laden with explosives entered the camp and exploded inside," Deputy Mogadishu Governor Abdifatah Shaweye told reporters.
As well as killing the three guards, the suicide attack left at least five people injured. Four guards were killed at the scene and two more died in hospital of their injuries, a police commander told Reuters news agency. At least seven people were injured.
Little is known about the bomber, but Deputy Regional Governor Abdifitah Ibrahim Shawey told the Associated Press news agency that he is believed to have been one of about 300 foreign fighters helping the insurgents.Little is known about the bomber, but Deputy Regional Governor Abdifitah Ibrahim Shawey told the Associated Press news agency that he is believed to have been one of about 300 foreign fighters helping the insurgents.
This month has seen a notable upsurge in violence in Mogadishu - with first the Islamists and then pro-government forces renewing their attacks.This month has seen a notable upsurge in violence in Mogadishu - with first the Islamists and then pro-government forces renewing their attacks.
About 200 people are thought to have been killed since the beginning of May, at least 50 of whom have died since Friday morning.About 200 people are thought to have been killed since the beginning of May, at least 50 of whom have died since Friday morning.
So far, most of the fighting has focused on one of the city's main routes, Wadnaha Road, according to the BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu.So far, most of the fighting has focused on one of the city's main routes, Wadnaha Road, according to the BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu.
African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attacks, our correspondent says.African Union peacekeepers based in the capital to support the fragile administration are not involved in the attacks, our correspondent says.
The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents.The 4,300-strong force does not have a mandate to pursue the insurgents.
A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.A moderate Islamist President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected by a unity government in January as part of a UN-backed peace initiative.
But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the guerrillas, who are accused of having links with al-Qaeda.But even his introduction of Sharia law to the strongly Muslim country has not appeased the guerrillas, who are accused of having links with al-Qaeda.