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Security guards after the attack in Mogadishu
Photo: AA / abaca press / ddp
Several people have been killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
First, a suicide bomber drove a car loaded with explosives into the gate of a government building on Sunday, police officer Mohamed Dahir told the dpa news agency.
Armed men then stormed the seat of the regional government.
The building houses the office of the mayor of Mogadishu and the governor of the surrounding Benadir region, among other things, Dahir said.
The suspected terrorists shot around.
At least six people were killed, including two security forces, three civilians and the suicide bomber.
The mayor and numerous other officials were evacuated by security forces, Dahir said.
However, the suspected terrorists continued to besiege the building.
Terrorist militia al-Shabab is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack
The Reuters news agency also reported on the alleged attack.
According to their information, the Islamist terrorist militia al-Shabab is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Somalia has been plagued by terrorist attacks and other acts of violence for years, particularly by the Shabab militia.
The government has been waging a military offensive against al-Shabab for several months.
The government was able to reconquer large parts of central Somalia.
At the same time, the extremists are increasing the frequency of their attacks.
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa and has a population of around 16 million.
As in many other countries in the region, there is a fatal drought after a failed rainy season.
Even if famine has not yet been officially declared, millions of Somalis are considered to be acutely undernourished.
kko/dpa/Reuters
