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Gunmen launch deadly attack on Somalia courthouse | Gunmen launch deadly attack on Somalia courthouse |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 20 people have been killed in a series of bomb and gun attacks in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. | At least 20 people have been killed in a series of bomb and gun attacks in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. |
More than 16 people are believed to have died after gunmen stormed the city's main court buildings, shooting and setting off explosions. | More than 16 people are believed to have died after gunmen stormed the city's main court buildings, shooting and setting off explosions. |
The Islamist militant group al-Shabab is suspected of carrying it out. | The Islamist militant group al-Shabab is suspected of carrying it out. |
Later a car bomb was detonated on the road to the airport, killing four, including two Turkish aid workers and the attacker. | Later a car bomb was detonated on the road to the airport, killing four, including two Turkish aid workers and the attacker. |
Al-Shabab, which has links with al-Qaeda, has been blamed for a series of attacks in Mogadishu in the last two years. | Al-Shabab, which has links with al-Qaeda, has been blamed for a series of attacks in Mogadishu in the last two years. |
BBC reporter Mohamed Ibrahim at the scene says armed intruders entered the court in the capital and began firing, after which there was an explosion. | BBC reporter Mohamed Ibrahim at the scene says armed intruders entered the court in the capital and began firing, after which there was an explosion. |
A gunfight followed as security forces exchanged fire with the attackers. | A gunfight followed as security forces exchanged fire with the attackers. |
Witnesses said at least one car bomb was used in the attack. | Witnesses said at least one car bomb was used in the attack. |
"Armed men entered the court and then we heard a blast. Then they started opening fire," witness Hussein Ali, who works at the courts, told Reuters news agency. | "Armed men entered the court and then we heard a blast. Then they started opening fire," witness Hussein Ali, who works at the courts, told Reuters news agency. |
Ugandan troops - part of the African Union force stationed in Mogadishu - arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting started. | Ugandan troops - part of the African Union force stationed in Mogadishu - arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting started. |
The Somali government said that nine gunmen had been involved in the assault, and all had now been killed. | The Somali government said that nine gunmen had been involved in the assault, and all had now been killed. |
Six of them detonated suicide vests, it said. Al-Shabab said six of its fighters had been killed. | Six of them detonated suicide vests, it said. Al-Shabab said six of its fighters had been killed. |
Aid workers killed | Aid workers killed |
Other witnesses said the attackers were dressed in Somali military uniform. | Other witnesses said the attackers were dressed in Somali military uniform. |
People were seen trying to escape the violence from the upper floors of the court buildings by breaking windows and climbing out of the buildings. | People were seen trying to escape the violence from the upper floors of the court buildings by breaking windows and climbing out of the buildings. |
Our reporter says the courts are located in one of the busiest parts of the city, and were full of people when the attacks happened - Sunday is a normal working day in Somalia. | Our reporter says the courts are located in one of the busiest parts of the city, and were full of people when the attacks happened - Sunday is a normal working day in Somalia. |
A second car bomb was detonated later, outside a building housing security forces on the road to the airport. | A second car bomb was detonated later, outside a building housing security forces on the road to the airport. |
It was set off as a convoy carrying Turkish aid workers passed, killing two of them. | It was set off as a convoy carrying Turkish aid workers passed, killing two of them. |
Correspondents say Sunday's violence is the worst seen in Mogadishu since al-Shabab was pushed out of the city by AU and Somali forces in August 2011. | Correspondents say Sunday's violence is the worst seen in Mogadishu since al-Shabab was pushed out of the city by AU and Somali forces in August 2011. |
Since then the Islamist group has launched regular attacks in the capital. It still controls most villages and rural areas of Somalia. | Since then the Islamist group has launched regular attacks in the capital. It still controls most villages and rural areas of Somalia. |
For more than 20 years Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, rival politicians and Islamist militants battling for control of the country. | For more than 20 years Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, rival politicians and Islamist militants battling for control of the country. |