News / Somalia

Car bomb explosion rips through Mogadishu restaurant, kills three people

Saturday, 01 October 2016 11:16 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 01 October 2016 1:06 PM ]

Somali security forces guard the entrance to the Central Hotel, close to the presidential palace in Mogadishu, on February 20, 2015. (Photo by AFP)

An explosive-laden car rams into a restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing at least three people, a police officer and local officials say.

Abdifatah Omar, a spokesman for Mogadishu's local government, confirmed the death toll, adding that four others were also injured in the Saturday blast.

He said an investigation into the attack would continue for further details.

Residents said the restaurant, Blue Sky, was frequented by members of national security forces.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group said it had carried out the attack.

"We are behind the Blue Sky restaurant attack," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabab's military operations spokesman, said, adding that the group wanted to attack the personnel who worked at a nearby detention center, known as Jilaow, where militants are usually held.

The militant group has launched many similar attacks in Mogadishu in the past.

In late August, at least 10 people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed in Mogadishu when a car was exploded outside the Presidential Palace and two nearby hotels.

Al-Shabab militants claimed responsibility for the attack.

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