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Government minister killed in al Shabab attack in Somalia

Five victims have been confirmed but it is thought the death toll will rise after the suicide bombing and shootings.

Sunday 24 March 2019 03:40, UK

Civilians run from the scene
Image: Civilians run from the scene
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A minister is among five dead after gunmen stormed a government building in Somalia.

The country's deputy labour minister Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla was killed in his ground floor office shortly after gunmen stormed into the building in Mogadishu.

Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla, Somalia's deputy minister of labour and social affairs, was killed in the attack
Image: Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla, Somalia's deputy minister of labour and social affairs, was killed in the attack

Somali security forces were exchanging gunfire with at least five attackers and trying to rescue public servants trapped inside.

The gunfire came after a suicide car bombing.

The death toll is expected to rise as dozens of people were inside at the time of the attack.

Al Shabab, the terror group, claimed responsibility.

They said its fighters were inside the government building, which is not far from the headquarters of the Somali intelligence agency.

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Somali women and children flee the scene after two explosions
Image: Somali women and children flee the scene after two explosions
Somali soldiers arrest a civilian close to the scene of two explosions
Image: Somali soldiers arrest a civilian close to the scene of two explosions

Capt Mohamed Hussein, a police officer, said security forces had ended the siege, confirming five people were dead and at least 10 people were wounded.

Mogadishu's Aamin Ambulance service tweeted: "We managed to provide pre-hospital services to 11 injured civilians today at Ministry of Labour & Social affairs complex attack. We continue assisting our people with quality emergency care services."

A Somali soldier runs for cover at the scene of two explosions set off near the ministries of public works and labour
Image: A Somali soldier runs for cover at the scene of two explosions set off near the ministries of public works and labour
The scene after the explosion near the government building
Image: The scene after the explosion near the government building

As the attack unfolded, gunfire could be heard from inside the building and some witnesses said they could see white smoke billowing from the scene.

A similar attack targeting a busy part of Mogadishu at the end of February killed 24 people. It also began with a pair of car bombs exploding as people sat in nearby restaurants.

A Somali soldier holds his position as the town is evacuated
Image: A Somali soldier holds his position as the town is evacuated

The al Qaeda linked group al Shabab frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting public places including hotels and government offices.

It is Africa's most active Islamic extremist group and has been fighting for years to take power and create an Islamic state in Somalia.

The US military has recently carried out a number of deadly attacks against al Shabab.

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