At least 12 killed in Al Shabaab attack on regional headquarters in Somali capital

At least six civilians and six militiamen from the jihadist group Al Shabaab have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack by the Islamist organization on the regional government headquarters in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

The attack was followed by a shooting raid on the government headquarters of the Banadir region, of which Mogadishu is part, in the Hamar Weyne neighborhood near the city’s old town.

Sources of the Somali portal Garowe on Line confirmed that the attack was specifically aimed at the mayor of the capital, Yusuf Hussein Jimale Madale, who was not in his office at the time of the assault.

Security forces have managed to regain control of the area after four hours of gunfire and clashes with the assailants, according to the Somali Police.

The attack has already been claimed by Al Shabaab, which however has not given further details about the attack. In the last week the organization has intensified its attacks against the army in response to the “total war” launched by the government with the support of the United States and the African Union force sent to the country.

Source: msn