MOGADISHU (Halbeeg) – Somali government on Sunday said its forces foiled attempted Al-Shabab attacks on the country’s presidential palace on Saturday.
At least six people including five Al-Shabab fighters in a twin bomb blast that took place at midday.
In a statement, Somali Minister for Information, Dahir Mohamud Guelleh said Somali forces succeeded to thwart suicide bombs and attacks planned by Al-Shabab fighters.
The minister commended the country’s servicemen for their swift action to eliminate the perpetrators of Saturday’s attacks.
” The forces were commended for foiling attacks which consist confrontation and two bomb blasts,” reads the statement.
According to the statement, one of the cars laden with explosive went off near the SYL Hotel after the government forces opened fire on the car.
“One of the car bombs exploded after it was sprayed with bullets. The forces killed a number of misled Al-Shabab militias,” Guelleh stated.
The six people who were killed — including five Al-Shabab attackers and civilian.
Several other people were reportedly wounded when a double car bomb blast rocked Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that its fighters had attacked the presidential palace and SYL Hotel.
Saturday’s attack comes a week after al-Shabaab attacked Somalia’s Interior Ministry building in Mogadishu, killing at least 16 people, including two ministry officials.
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