Al-Shabaab militants stormed a Somali government building in Mogadishu on Saturday, with at least four people killed in the suicide car bomb attack by the insurgents and an ensuing gunfight.
A large explosion shook the center of the Somali capital in the latest bombing by Shabaab as the group blasted its way into the building.
"Shabaab stormed the building where two ministries including the ministry of labor work. So far we know 4 people are dead but (the) death toll is sure to rise," Major Abdullahi Nur, a police officer told Reuters.
Eleven people were injured, Dr. Abdikadir Abdirahman, director of Amin Ambulance Service told Reuters, adding some were still trapped inside the building and that it was not possible to rescue them because of an ongoing gunbattle.
Shabaab said one of its fighters had rammed the ministry building with a suicide car bomb, allowing others to enter it.
Nur said people were being rescued with a ladder from the upper floors and that an exchange of gunfire was still going on.
"We are inside the building and (the) fighting goes on. We shall give details later," Abdiasis Abu Musab, Shabaab's military operation spokesman told Reuters.
Attacks that use a combination of bombs and gunmen have become a hallmark of the insurgents.
Earlier this month, at least 20 people died in an attack in Mogadishu which saw Shabaab militants battling security forces for nearly 24 hours.
The group also claimed responsibility for a March 7 car bombing near a restaurant in the capital that killed four people.
