As Morocco fights ISIL, jihadist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for Saturday's car bombing in Somalia. The attack in capital Mogadishu has killed 13 people and wounded at least 17 others. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow with more details.

The first blast targeted this security checkpoint near the national theatre, followed by a second explosion not far from here. Militant group Al-Shabaab has since claimed responsibility claiming to have killed security personnel and senior government officials. Saturday's attack ended weeks of calm in a city often a target for the Al Qaeda affiliated group. The Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu survived the attacks but lost his security detail in the first blast, the explosion killed seven of his bodyguards as well as his personal driver. A prominent TV personality, Awil Dahir Salat was also killed in the blast, the journalist was killed alongside three other television crew members on their way to work.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU, SOMALIA "The blast targeted 45 Zone of the city, that's inaccessible to public transport vehicles, government officials, security personnel and civil servants are the only ones who can access that area of the city, leaving many wondering as to how the bomber reached that area."

Intelligence forces have arrested two individuals including the mastermind of the attack and driver of the second vehicle that detonated. City hospitals are coping with a high number of cases. Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire toured several hospitals in the capital, vowing to boost the government's fight against the militant group.

ABDIRASHID MOHAMUD SOMALI DEPUTY MINISTER FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS "We call on the Somali public not to lose hope, things will improve soon. We will overcome the militant threat with your support."

Last month, Al-Shabaab killed more than fifty people in a deadly attack on a popular hotel in downtown Mogadishu, the attacks included three car bombs and suicide bombers. Meanwhile, the group has lost hundreds of militants in recent air strikes carried out by the U.S army. AFRICOM, the US Africa Command says it has degraded the groups attacking capability by neutralizing its fighters stationed in areas outside Mogadishu. But despite recent losses, Saturday's attacks is yet but a reminder of the security challenges facing Somalia and the need to change the security approach in securing the city from deadly militant attacks. AB, CGTN, MOG, SOM.