Five people have been killed in an attack on the main law courts in the Somali capital, police have said.
Gunmen entered the Mogadishu courts, detonating explosives and opening fire, witnesses said.
A gunfight followed as security forces exchanged fire with the attackers, who remain unidentified.
Most attacks in Mogadishu are blamed on Islamic militant group al-Shabab. Somalia has been rebuilding itself after two decades of civil conflict.
A BBC reporter says armed intruders entered the court in Mogadishu and began firing, after which there was an explosion.
An intelligence officer, Abdirahman Mohamed, told the French news agency AFP that at least one suicide bomber had blown himself up, leaving several people dead.
"Armed men entered the court and then we heard a blast. Then they started opening fire," witness Hussein Ali, who works at the courts, told Reuters news agency.
Other witnesses told AFP the attackers were dressed in Somali military uniform.
The incident comes a month after 10 people were killed in a suicide car bombing, in one of the deadliest attacks in the coastal city since a new UN-backed Somali government was formed last year
Security has improved in Mogadishu since al-Shabab withdrew from the city in August 2011, but the group's fighters still launch attacks.
The al-Qaeda-aligned insurgents have been forced out of main towns but still control most villages and rural areas.
For more than 20 years Somalia has seen clan-based warlords, rival politicians and Islamist militants battling for control of the country.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
We have built adequate buffers to withstand external threats – BoG Governor assures
8 minutes -
FULL LIST: The NDC MPs, Foot Soldiers, and All Who Supported My Zoomlion Advocacy- Manasseh Azure
9 minutes -
Ghana Diaspora Investment Forum highlights urgent call to unlock diaspora capital for national development
11 minutes -
Iran still a strategic threat despite weakened proxies – Analyst warns
29 minutes -
Body of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun repatriated for Burial
45 minutes -
Deputy Finance Minister supports flood victims in Frankadua
54 minutes -
I would have defeated Asante Kotoko with experienced players – Golden Kick Coach
58 minutes -
Ga East MCE engages Dome Zongo youth on drug abuse
1 hour -
Brazil 2014 scandal: I did my job – Justice Dzamefe on gov’t refusal to implement recommendations
1 hour -
IMCC hosts high-level dialogue to boost Ghana’s Decentralisation Agenda
1 hour -
Healing the Sick Horse: The Imperative of Rebuilding the New Patriotic Party
2 hours -
GFA sets August 31 for 2025 Champion of Champions match between GoldStars and Kotoko
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta will not delay investigations – Wife assures amid health concerns
2 hours -
Ghana is home, Ken Ofori-Atta will return when healthy – Wife
2 hours -
Balm of Gilead holds the “Legacy of the Father Awards” to honour servicemen in Kumasi
2 hours