At least thirteen people were killed and over 10 injured in two explosions near the presidential residence in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, police spokesperson Ibrahim Mohamed said.

According to police officials and witnesses, the first blast took place at a checkpoint some 400 meters from the president's residence, with a second going off around the same area shortly after.

Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab claimed responsibility for both blasts on its Radio Andalus, and said the second explosion was a car bomb targeting those who had responded to the first attack.

"The death toll may rise. It is too early to have details of the second blast," Major Mohamed told Reuters.