Heavy fighting has broken out in the presidential palace in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
Gunfire and explosions can be heard and suspected Islamist militants are inside the palace after attacking from two directions, witnesses told the BBC.
The BBC's Mohammed Moalimu says President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is not at the palace.
The al-Qaeda-aligned al-Shabab group lost control of Mogadishu in 2011, but often carries out attacks in the city.
The group has vowed to step up attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
On Saturday, a suicide car bomb exploded near the parliament, killing at least four people.
Our reporter says President Mohamud was attending a function at the residence of the UN special envoy to Somalia, near the airport.
A large contingent of the Somali military police accompanied him, leaving the presidential palace mainly under the protection of African Union soldiers, he says.
The presidential palace is the seat of government and many top government officials live and work there.
It is not clear if the prime minister and speaker of parliament are in the compound.
Our correspondent says the attack is believed to have started with a car bomb at a barrier near the entrance to the heavily fortified compound.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28219681#TWEET1178572
Send Emails to wanabidii@googlegroups.com
Kujiondoa Tuma Email kwenda
wanabidii+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com Utapata Email ya kudhibitisha ukishatuma
Disclaimer:
Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Wanabidii" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to wanabidii+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
0 Comments