Several people died as car bomb explodes near Somali presidential palace

Nine people were confirmed dead, (Courtesy)

BREAKING NEWS

MOGADISHU—A suicide car bomb exploded meters away from the presidential palace in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Saturday and smoke was seen rising above the scene of the explosion although it was unclear who was behind the blast, police said.

“A car bomb exploded, it is too early to know the casualty,” Major Mohamed Hussein, a police officer, told Reuters moments after blast.

Islamist group al Shabaab frequently carries out bombings in the Horn of Africa country where they are fighting to topple the central government. But they have not yet claimed responsibility for Saturday’s blasts.

The group wants to topple the Western-backed central government, expel the African Union-mandated peace keeping force AMISOM and establish a government based on their own strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

The country’s security is currently handled by a 21,000-strong African Union force, although those troops are expected to withdraw completely by 2020.

The first explosion occurred outside a building meters away from the presidential palace and also near a checkpoint.

Hussein, an eye witness said security forces opened fire after the blasts. Ambulance sirens were heard while announcements were made via loudspeaker to help clear the roads.