Somali presidential HQ attacked by al-Shabab
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was in the building during the attack.Armed men have attacked the presidential palace in Somalia – but it appears that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was not harmed.
Witnesses in Mogadishu say the attack Friday began with a car explosion. Afterward, men carrying guns and hand grenades tried to fight their way into the heavily guarded compound.
Initial reports say several soldiers were killed along with Mohamud Indha-Asse, chief of staff in the prime minister\’s office.
The U.N. special representative in Somalia, Nick Kay, said in a Twitter message that the president called him to say he was unharmed.
Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The al-Qaida-linked group was pushed out of Mogadishu by African Union and Somali government forces in 2011, but has continued to mount periodic attacks in the city.
Source: VOA and agencies
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