Death toll rises to 38 in Mogadishu twin bomb attacks

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The death toll has climbed to 38 in two car bombings in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, AFP reported citing Aamin Ambulance Director Abdukadir Abdirahman.

Abdirahman said "at least 38 people" died in the double bombings, one of which targeted the presidential palace.

Somali security forces managed to thwart an attack at the presidential palace, fighting back militants trying to enter the compound. A vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near Villa Somalia as security forces pursued it.

Earlier, police told Xinhua that security forces manning Villa Somalia fought back against militants who were trying to storm into the palace, killing three of them.

"They tried to storm into Villa Somalia but our forces fought them back. The forces were pursuing the vehicle as it headed towards the palace but exploded before reaching the target," police officer Ahmed Abdulle told Xinhua.

The first explosion went off at around 6 p.m. local time, when a vehicle loaded with explosives hit the newly opened Dorbin hotel, near the intelligence headquarters.

A second explosion went off shortly after near Villa Somalia.

Witnesses recounted the turn of the events.

"We heard a huge explosion followed by a lot of gunfire near the parliament building. We were told Sayidka hotel was being attacked," Yasmin Mohamed said.

Militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, which came barely a day after Security Minister Mohamed Islow warned of a minivan loaded with explosives in Mogadishu.

Security forces have in the past week cordoned off roads and launched major security operations in the city amid reports of an impending attack.

(With input from Xinhua)

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