Somalia: Deaths as car bomb explodes in Mogadishu

At least 10 people have been killed in a suicide bombing near the Somali president's palace in Mogadishu, which caused a huge blast and destroyed two hotels nearby, according to police.

Reuters news agency said al-Shabab fighters claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack.

Al Jazeera has learned that at least 10 people, including government soldiers, died in the attack and 20 others were injured.

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Witnesses and social media users reported hearing a loud explosion in Mogadishu, followed by gunfire.

“There was a blast close to the SYL Hotel area, near the main checkpoint of the presidential palace,” said Ibrahim Mohamed, a security officer.

Images posted to social media showed huge plumes of smoke rising above the president's palace.

Al-Shabab fighters have claimed responsibility for several recent explosions in Mogadishu, including a car bomb and gun attack last week at a popular beach restaurant that killed 10 people.

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