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Somali presidential palace: 'Car bomb' attack in Mogadishu | Somali presidential palace: 'Car bomb' attack in Mogadishu |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A huge car bomb has blown a hole in the wall of Somalia's presidential palace, followed by a fierce gun battle inside, officials say. | A huge car bomb has blown a hole in the wall of Somalia's presidential palace, followed by a fierce gun battle inside, officials say. |
At least two senior officials and nine attackers are reported dead but the security minister told the BBC the situation was "under control". | |
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has told the UN envoy to Somalia he was not harmed, envoy Nick Kay has tweeted. | President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has told the UN envoy to Somalia he was not harmed, envoy Nick Kay has tweeted. |
The al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack. | |
'Scattered human flesh' | |
BBC Somalia analyst Mohamed Mohamed says this is the first time that al-Shabab fighters have entered the presidential palace, known as Villa Somalia. | BBC Somalia analyst Mohamed Mohamed says this is the first time that al-Shabab fighters have entered the presidential palace, known as Villa Somalia. |
The heavily guarded complex is home to the president, prime minister, speaker of parliament, other ministers and a mosque, which was hit during the attack. | The heavily guarded complex is home to the president, prime minister, speaker of parliament, other ministers and a mosque, which was hit during the attack. |
The president was preparing for Friday prayers at the mosque, senior police officer Abdikadir Ahmed told Reuters news agency. | |
Some of the attackers were wearing suicide vests, police sources have told the BBC. | Some of the attackers were wearing suicide vests, police sources have told the BBC. |
Another police officer, Hussein Farah, told Reuters there were about 10 assailants, wearing uniforms similar to that of the presidential guards. | |
"All the Shabab fighters perished, some blew up themselves while others were shot dead. Several government guards also died," he said. | |
"Now the fighting is over, and scattered on the scene is human flesh and blood." | |
Security Minister Abdi Karim Hussein told the BBC Somali service that all of the country's leaders were safe. | |
Senior officials in the prime minister's office and security services are said to have been killed. | |
Al-Shabab military spokesman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abu Musab said militants were still in control of some buildings inside the presidential compound. | Al-Shabab military spokesman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abu Musab said militants were still in control of some buildings inside the presidential compound. |
"Our commandos have attacked the so-called presidential palace in order to kill or arrest those who who are inside," he told the AFP news agency. | "Our commandos have attacked the so-called presidential palace in order to kill or arrest those who who are inside," he told the AFP news agency. |
Mr Kay said the attack on Villa Somalia had "failed". | Mr Kay said the attack on Villa Somalia had "failed". |
"Sadly some lives lost. I condemn strongly this terrorism," he said. | "Sadly some lives lost. I condemn strongly this terrorism," he said. |
Al-Shabab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 but it still controls many smaller towns and rural areas of the country. | Al-Shabab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 but it still controls many smaller towns and rural areas of the country. |
Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the government battle al-Shabab. | Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the government battle al-Shabab. |