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Attack in Mogadishu

July 8, 2014

Heavily armed militants have launched a major bomb attack and armed assault against Somalia's heavily fortified presidential palace. According to reports, the attack may have started with a suicide blast.

https://p.dw.com/p/1CYMD

On Tuesday, witnesses reported an explosion and gunfire near Somalia's presidential palace in Mogadishu. News agencies reported a huge blaze and fighting inside and outside the palace.

"There was an attack on the presidential palace, with gunmen attacking a checkpoint at the rear of the compound," police officer Ali Hussein told AFP. "There was a major explosion and security forces are fighting them," he added, without confirming if the insurgents had managed to enter the city centre compound, known as the Villa Somalia.

Reports were emerging that the attackers had taken control of the presidential palace, but security services quickly claimed to have restored order.

The president was not home at the time of the attack.

mkg/ (AFP, dpa)