PH
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which is trying to overthrow President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Western-backed government.
The group stepped up attacks this month, retaking a town in the central region and attacking African Union troops.
“So far, we know five soldiers died and over a dozen were wounded,” Ali Hussein, a police officer, told Reuters, adding that the attack might have been aimed at a United Nations convoy that left the palace just before the blast.
Ahmed Aden, a resident in the area, said he had heard a loud blast followed by gunfire.
A Reuters reporter saw damage to the gate of the compound, and five burnt-out cars at the scene.
