Suicide car bomb attack on Al-Shabaab compound

A suicide car bombing in Mogadishu was the signal for the start of an attack by Somalia’s al-Shabaab on a compound where national intelligence agency officials are thought to train, according to reports from police and the militants themselves.

Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al-Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, said the fighters captured the building and “killed many” intelligence agents inside. The government is claiming that the only casualties were four of the attackers themselves.

Police sources say the first drove a car laden with explosives into the gate of the compound, after which they stormed the building.

The compound, which is near to the headquarters of Somalia’s national intelligence agency, was also alleged to have been used by the national security forces for training and lodging.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting the western-backed government in Mogadishu and is known to intensify its attacks during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began last Wednesday.

The group attacked a police post near the capital on Saturday, reportedly killing eight officers.