Police in Somalia say suicide bomber blew themselves up near presidential palace

This article is more than 8 months old

This article is more than 8 months old

A vehicle packed with explosives has been detonated at a military checkpoint near Somalia’s presidential palace, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 20 others, police said. Col. Ahmed Mohamud says those killed in the Saturday morning blast include soldiers and civilians. Mohamed Hussein says the bomber targeted a military checkpoint near the rear entrance of the heavily fortified palace. The blast and a second, smaller one nearby appeared to target those heading to work on what was a business day in tSomalia. Al-Shabab, the most active Islamic extremist group in sub-Saharan Africa, was pushed out of Mogadishu years ago but continues to control large parts of rural southern and central Somalia.
A car bomb near the presidential palace in Mogadishu kills at least 16 people and injures more than 20 others.