News / Somalia

Three killed, 8 injured in Somalia attack: Police

Saturday, 19 December 2015 1:53 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 19 December 2015 2:04 PM ]

Security officers investigate the scene of a car bomb attack in the Hodan neighborhood of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on December 3, 2015. (AFP photo)

At least three people have been killed and eight others injured in a bombing and shooting in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, police sources say.

Police Major Nur Farah said the death toll from the attack on Saturday would most likely rise as it had struck a busy area in the capital.

"The place is busy with hotels and supermarkets. Most of the casualties are pedestrians. The casualty number is sure to rise," Farah said.

Part of a supermarket and three vehicles have also been destroyed as a result of the attack.

Some witnesses said an exchange of fire took place after unidentified gunmen first opened fire on a government official’s car, which was then followed by a car bombing attack in the area. A Reuters reporter, however, said that a car bomb exploded first which was then followed by gunfire.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants have, however, accepted responsibility for similar attacks in the past, as part of a campaign the group says is directed at the Somali government.

Last month, some 15 people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a similar attack on a hotel in the center of Mogadishu, which was claimed by al-Shabab militants.

The AFP photo shows a burning car near the damaged Sahafi hotel in Somalia, Mogadishu, on November 1, 2015 after an explosion (AFP Photo/Mohamed Abdiwahab)

The east African country has been fighting al-Shabab militants who have frequently staged attacks against government officials and civilians over the past years.

The government in Somalia has been struggling to rebuild the country after years of conflict.

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