BFF-44 At least 12 killed in terror attacks in Mogadishu

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BFF-44

TERROR-ATTACKS-MOGADISHU

At least 12 killed in terror attacks in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, July 7, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – At least 12 people were killed and
17 others injured in twin blasts in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday,
police said.

The first blast took place when a suicide car bomb was detonated outside a
building housing the interior and security ministry. The second hit near a
police checkpoint adjacent to the presidential palace.

Police officer who did not want to be named told Xinhua by phone that the
militants involved in the attack on the building were overpowered by the
security forces.

“The attack begun after a car bomb exploded outside of the building but now
the security forces have managed to contain the attack and killed all the
assailants. We can confirm that at least 12 people were killed in the
attack,” the officer said.

The headquarters of the security and interior ministry is located in
fortified areas and also close to the presidential palace and the parliament
building.

Abdikadir Abdurrahman, director of Amin Ambulance, told Xinhua that they
have transported 17 injured people to the hospital.

Witnesses reported the attack and said they heard huge blasts followed by
gunfire at the area.

“I have seen huge plume of smoke rising above the site of the explosion and
after minutes other one followed. Security forces cordoned off the area,” an
eye witness, Osman Shuke, told Xinhua.

Al-Shabab terror group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack
that comes despite increased military operations against the militant group
across the Horn of Africa nation.

BSS/Xinhua/MSY/1856 hrs