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Somali UN compound attacked in Mogadishu Somali UN compound attacked in Mogadishu
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen have entered a UN office in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, firing their weapons, following a loud explosion, witnesses have said.Gunmen have entered a UN office in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, firing their weapons, following a loud explosion, witnesses have said.
A cameraman outside the UN Development Programme office told the BBC soldiers from the African Union force and Somali army were fighting the men inside.A cameraman outside the UN Development Programme office told the BBC soldiers from the African Union force and Somali army were fighting the men inside.
He said a suicide bomber blew up a car at the entrance to the office, and he saw four gunmen enter.He said a suicide bomber blew up a car at the entrance to the office, and he saw four gunmen enter.
Islamist militants often target government facilities in the city.Islamist militants often target government facilities in the city.
The AFP news agency is reporting that the Islamist group al-Shabab, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has claimed responsibility for the attack.The AFP news agency is reporting that the Islamist group al-Shabab, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
"Our commandos have attacked the UN compound... we set off an explosion and have entered the compound, where we are fighting with the infidel forces," it quotes an al-Shabab official as saying."Our commandos have attacked the UN compound... we set off an explosion and have entered the compound, where we are fighting with the infidel forces," it quotes an al-Shabab official as saying.
The UN Development Programme office is next to the heavily fortified airport in southern Mogadishu.The UN Development Programme office is next to the heavily fortified airport in southern Mogadishu.
"A suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the UNDP and then several armed fighters went in and opened fire," a senior police official told the Reuters news agency."A suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the UNDP and then several armed fighters went in and opened fire," a senior police official told the Reuters news agency.
The cameraman, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told the BBC Somali Service that some people had been wounded in the blast and he had personally helped three people to a military ambulance.The cameraman, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told the BBC Somali Service that some people had been wounded in the blast and he had personally helped three people to a military ambulance.
Residents in the area have fled and some buildings were seriously damaged after the vehicle exploded, he said.Residents in the area have fled and some buildings were seriously damaged after the vehicle exploded, he said.
It is unclear whether any UN officials have been caught up in the gun battle, but foreigners and Somalis are known to work at the UNDP office, the cameraman said.It is unclear whether any UN officials have been caught up in the gun battle, but foreigners and Somalis are known to work at the UNDP office, the cameraman said.
As he was talking to the BBC, gunshots could be heard in the background.As he was talking to the BBC, gunshots could be heard in the background.
The cameraman said a number of security experts had joined the AU and Somali soldiers in tackling the militants.The cameraman said a number of security experts had joined the AU and Somali soldiers in tackling the militants.
Al-Shabab withdrew from Mogadishu in August 2011 under pressure from pro-government forces, but continue to launch occasional suicide attacks in the city.
The improving security situation has prompted the return of Somalis from the diaspora and allowed UN agencies and foreign embassies to return to the country.
Some 18,000 AU troops are in the country supporting the new UN-backed government.