Ten people were killed in an attack in Somalia’s capital city of Mogadishu, which was claimed by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group. According to the information ministry, the assault began with a car bomb explosion, followed by a gunfight that lasted for hours. Witnesses reported that the targeted house was believed to be accommodating several lawmakers. The security forces managed to eliminate the four terrorists involved in the attack, while four soldiers and three civilians were wounded.
Al Shabaab stated that the attack was intended to target military officials and militia fighters involved in an offensive against their group. The group claimed to have killed 70 people in the assault, while the government reported only 10 civilian casualties. The house was reportedly providing shelter to military officials and wounded militia members from the central Hiraan region, who were involved in fighting against al Shabaab.