In Somalia, militant group al-Shabaab says it was behind a deadly attack on a government compound in Mogadishu. At least six people were killed. Officials warn there could be more casualties. The East African nation has faced decades of instability and violence linked to the militant group. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow reports.

The blast targeted these local government offices - in the Howlwadaag district of Mogadishu. Eyewitnesses say government forces attempted to stop the vehicle before it detonated Sunday morning - killing several people, injuring dozens and causing massive damage to nearby properties including the local government offices.

"I had just parked my car outside the offices and walked into the center to renew my license. It's then that a huge blast went off and we fled in panic after the perimeter wall was destroyed. We had to use a different exit to reach to safety."

Militant group Al-Shabaab quickly claimed responsibility for the blast that also blew off the roof a nearby mosque -an Islamic learning center and a local school near that district.

SALAH HASSAN OMAR, SPOKESPERSON MOGADISHU MUNICIPALITY "Security forces prevented the car from breaching the perimeter of the district headquarters. Three government soldiers died in the attack while preventing the car from entering the local government offices. Next to it was an Islamic center - it was completely destroyed but the students survived because they had just left for morning break."

Investigations into the attack is still ongoing - Al-Shabaab claims to have targeted government forces and local government workers - but its civilians and children who were the recent victims. The attack brings to an end months of relative stability in the city - following a wave of attacks by the group aimed at toppling the internationally recognized government in Mogadishu. Government forces have beefed up security in and around the capital - but occasional bombing and assassinations continue to take place - frustrating government efforts of securing the city.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU "Sunday's blast is the deadliest to rock Mogadishu in recent months - in August - the country's president appointed new police, military and intelligence chiefs as part of efforts to contain Al-Shabaab increasing threat in the capital - but experts say that the latest blast is a message - that the group can strike at will right in the heart of the nation's capital."

Meanwhile, city residents are demanding for answers - and an end to deadly attacks - that continue to claim more lives in the country. AB, CGTN, MOG - SOM.