A car bomb has exploded outside the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu followed by an ensuing gunfire, police have reported.
Hi. In #Mogadishu, a car bomb has exploded at the gates of #Somalia's presidential palace, followed by an attack by gunmen. @cctvnewsafrica
— Nicolas M.Négoce (@nicolasnegoce) February 21, 2014
Car bomb attacks #Somali's presidential palace. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is said to be unharmed.
— CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) February 21, 2014
The UN envoy to Somalia has tweeted that the country’s President is safe following a phone call with the leader.
President just called me to say he's unharmed. Attack on Villa #Somalia had failed. Sadly some lives lost. I condemn strongly this terrorism
— Sir Nick Kay (@NicholasK111) February 21, 2014
Top police officer Abdikadir Ahmed, has told Reuters news agency that the battle is still raging near the house of a top Somali military commander.
Ahmed added that a car full of explosives had entered the palace from the side of the military commander’s house. Al-Qaeda linked militants, Al Shabaab have been connected to the attack.
African Union peacekeepers moved Al Shabaab out of Mogadishu in 2011 but the capital continues to experience attacks from the militant group.
