Somalia's Shebab rebels launched a brazen attack on the national parliament today, setting off a car bomb and storming the building with suicide commandos, leaving at least ten dead, police and witnesses said.
Security sources said the "complex attack" -- involving bombs and gunmen with suicide vests -- was finally brought to an end after more than four hours by Somali security forces and African Union troops.
No overall death toll was immediately given but a police official and government source said 10 people, including several attackers, were confirmed dead.
Local media reports said as many as 20 people may have been killed, including eight attackers.
Witnesses said Shebab militants, the Al-Qaeda-linked group fighting to overthrow Somalia's internationally-backed but fragile government, stormed into the complex in central Mogadishu while scores of MPs were meeting inside.
A huge car bomb went off outside the gates of the parliament shortly before midday, and a string of smaller blasts followed by intense gunfire were heard coming from inside.
A spokesman for Shebab confirmed the group was responsible.
"The so-called Somali parliament is a military zone. Our fighters are there to carry out a holy operation," Shebab's military spokesman, Abdulaziz Abu Musab, told AFP by telephone.
AFP reporters at the scene said a number of people were wounded. Officials said at least two MPs were hurt and taken to hospital.
"I was shocked when I heard the blasts and a gunbattle. I had to run for my life," a female Somali MP said after escaping the battle.
Recent Shebab attacks have targeted key areas of government, or the security forces, in an apparent bid to discredit claims by the authorities that they are winning the war against the Islamist fighters.
Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said in a statement that all MPs were accounted for and the attack was under investigation, but praised the "swift response of Somali National Army and AMISOM security forces."
"The terrorists have once again shown that they are against all Somalis, by killing our innocent brothers and sisters. These cowardly, despicable actions are not a demonstration of the true Islamic faith," he added.
