At least nine killed in al-Shabaab car bomb attack in Somalia

At least nine people were killed in an attack on Somalia’s interior ministry, police have said.

Security forces killed all three attackers after a two-hour gun battle in the capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday, police said. The Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A number of people, mostly government workers, were trapped in the ministry on what had been a normal business day. Witnesses said some staffers died or were injured while leaping from windows or walls in an effort to escape.

At least 13 people were wounded, Mohamed Adam, a paramedic, said. The death toll could rise, Col Ahmed Mohamed said.

The morning attack began when a suicide car bomb detonated at the gates of the interior ministry compound, which is close to the presidential palace and parliament headquarters and also holds the security ministry, police Capt Mohamed Hussein said.